Here's why it supports the nativist view of language development:
* Limited Input: Children are exposed to a limited amount of language data, often with errors, incomplete sentences, and inconsistencies.
* Rapid Acquisition: Despite this limited input, children rapidly acquire complex grammar and vocabulary.
* Universal Grammar: This suggests they are born with an innate, pre-wired capacity for language, known as Universal Grammar, which helps them process and understand language quickly.
The poverty of the stimulus argument challenges the idea that language is learned solely through environmental exposure and imitation. It suggests that there's an underlying biological basis for language acquisition.