Abstract

The first part of this paper discusses the rationale for universal grammar (UG) theory to explain first language acquisition. It also illustrates the issues of language acquisition Chomsky argued which could not be supported by behaviourist theories and shows how Chomsky proposed a solution to this problem through his theoretical model of universal grammar. The next part outlines this theory’s key tenets, arguing that these principles must be an innate endowment of the human mind. Moreover, the study illustrates specific examples of grammatical phenomena that universal grammar seeks to explain. Lastly, it shows that certain distinct grammatical features are linked and that these connections can be explained within the Universal Grammar theoretical framework. The only reasonable explanation for the first language learning needs only limited linguistic exposure to activate them and set criteria for the language being learned for children whose minds have already been wired with essential language concepts.

Highlights

  • An eminent American linguist Noam Chomsky’s theory of universal grammar explains that all human beings are born with a set of basic language structures in their mind irrespective of the different language communities they belong to

  • The first part of this paper discusses the rationale for universal grammar (UG) theory to explain first language acquisition

  • It illustrates the issues of language acquisition Chomsky argued which could not be supported by behaviourist theories and shows how Chomsky proposed a solution to this problem through his theoretical model of universal grammar

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Summary

ARTICLE INFO

Article history Received: January 04, 2021 Accepted: March 20, 2021 Published: April 30, 2021 Volume: 12 Issue: 2 Advance access: April 2021.

INTRODUCTION
THE RATIONALE FOR UG THEORY
HOW DOES THE THEORY LINK UNRELATED ASPECTS OF GRAMMAR?
CONCLUSION
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