Structuralist View of Language Acquisition:
Structuralism, as a school of thought in linguistics, focuses on the underlying structures of language, emphasizing the systematic patterns and rules that govern language use. This approach, championed by figures like Ferdinand de Saussure, significantly influenced early theories on language acquisition.
Here's how structuralist ideas impacted the understanding of language learning:
Key Beliefs:
* Language is a system: Language is viewed as a complex system of rules and structures, not just a collection of words.
* Language is innate: Structuralists believe that humans are born with an innate capacity for language, a "language faculty" that predisposes them to acquire language easily. This capacity is not learned but inherited.
* Language learning is a process of discovery: Children are not simply imitating adults; they are actively discovering the underlying rules and structures of their native language.
* Universal grammar: Structuralists proposed the concept of "Universal Grammar," suggesting that all languages share fundamental, underlying principles. This universal grammar provides the framework for language acquisition, while specific languages differ in their surface structures.
Limitations and Criticisms:
While influential, the structuralist view of language acquisition faced criticism for:
* Lack of empirical evidence: Structuralist theories relied heavily on abstract concepts like "Universal Grammar" without much empirical support.
* Focus on syntax: The emphasis on structure primarily focused on syntax (sentence structure), neglecting other important aspects like semantics (meaning) and pragmatics (social context).
* Ignoring the role of environment: The theory underplayed the crucial role of social interaction and the environment in language learning.
Influence on Later Theories:
Despite its limitations, structuralism laid the groundwork for later, more sophisticated theories of language acquisition, particularly Chomsky's "Generative Grammar," which further explored the innate language faculty and its role in language development.
In Conclusion:
The structuralist view of language acquisition, though not without flaws, emphasized the systematic nature of language and the importance of inherent capacity for acquiring it. It sparked further research and debate about the mechanisms and processes involved in language learning.