Question

LAD ( Language Acquisition Device) is term coined by

• A. Piaget
• B. Bruner
• C. Vygotsky
• D. Chomsky

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Vygotsky

• The term Language Acquisition Device (LAD) was coined by linguist Noam Chomsky, not Vygotsky. This is a crucial distinction for competitive exams.
• Chomsky's LAD theory posits that humans are born with an innate biological capacity for language, a sort of universal grammar hardwired into the brain.
• This innate ability allows children to quickly acquire language, even with limited exposure to language input, by identifying the underlying rules of grammar.
• In contrast, Lev Vygotsky, a psychologist, emphasized the role of social interaction and culture in language development.
• Vygotsky's theory, known as the Sociocultural Theory of Cognitive Development, suggests that language develops through social interaction and is a tool for thought.
• Key concepts in Vygotsky's work include the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) and the role of scaffolding, where more knowledgeable others (like parents or teachers) assist learners.
• While Chomsky focused on the innate, biological aspects of language acquisition, Vygotsky highlighted the social and environmental factors. Understanding this difference is vital for questions on language development theories in exams like UGC NET English, TET, CTET, etc.
• Chomsky's LAD concept is often contrasted with behaviorist theories that viewed language acquisition as a learned behavior through imitation and reinforcement.