Here's what they believe:
* Universal Grammar: Humans are born with a universal grammar, a set of innate rules and principles that govern all languages. This means that children are predisposed to learn language, and the specific language they learn is simply a matter of exposure and experience.
* Critical Period: There's a critical period during early childhood when the LAD is most receptive to language learning. If a child isn't exposed to language during this period, it may be more difficult for them to acquire language later.
* Limited Role of Environment: While the environment provides the input for language acquisition, the LAD is the primary driver of the process. Children can learn language even without formal instruction or explicit teaching.
Key Nativist Thinkers:
* Noam Chomsky: He is the most prominent proponent of the nativist theory.
It's important to note that the nativist theory has been challenged by other theories like the interactionist theory, which emphasizes the role of social interaction and the environment in language acquisition. However, the nativist theory remains influential in the field of linguistics.