Excellent post. Thanks. Note that the Piraha language does not conflict with Chomsky's UG theory. Piraha children exposed to Portuguese learn it automatically, which confirms the UG theory.
Essentially, the theory of Universal Grammar is that humans have a capacity to learn whatever language they are exposed to during a critical period in early childhood. To a linguist, "grammar" describes the mental processes that enable us to produce language. Universal Grammar refers to the fact that all humans, no matter where they live, have the capacity to learn whatever language they are exposed to as infants.
Excellent post. Thanks. Note that the Piraha language does not conflict with Chomsky's UG theory. Piraha children exposed to Portuguese learn it automatically, which confirms the UG theory.
That's really interesting, if you have a link to a good story or study about that, would love to check it out!
Hi Joe. Here is a link to a straightforward explanation:
https://www.lavocedinewyork.com/en/2016/10/04/chomsky-we-are-not-apes-our-language-faculty-is-innate/
Essentially, the theory of Universal Grammar is that humans have a capacity to learn whatever language they are exposed to during a critical period in early childhood. To a linguist, "grammar" describes the mental processes that enable us to produce language. Universal Grammar refers to the fact that all humans, no matter where they live, have the capacity to learn whatever language they are exposed to as infants.
Hope this helps. I really enjoy your posts.
Cheers, -Tim