Language Acquisition: Predisposition & Critical Period Hypothesis
📘 13.2 Language Acquisition: Predisposition & Critical Period Hypothesis
Language acquisition is the process by which humans learn to understand, produce, and use words to communicate. It involves biological, cognitive, and social components.
🔹 A. Language Acquisition: Biological Predisposition
✅ 1. Biological Preparedness
Humans are biologically equipped to acquire language — this is known as innateness or predisposition.
- Proposed by Noam Chomsky through the concept of:
🔹 LAD (Language Acquisition Device) – a hypothetical mental mechanism pre-wired to detect linguistic structures.
- Chomsky argued that children can acquire complex grammar without formal teaching or reinforcement, suggesting innate ability.
🧠 Real-life Examples:
- A child exposed to any language (e.g., Hindi, French, Kannada) from birth can learn it fluently, indicating a built-in capacity.
- Children inventing their own grammars in Nicaraguan Sign Language supports the idea of an innate grammar.
🔹 B. Critical Period Hypothesis (CPH)
✅ 1. Definition
The Critical Period Hypothesis suggests that there is a biologically determined window during which language acquisition occurs most easily and naturally.
📌 This period is believed to be from birth to around puberty (approx. 12 years).
✅ 2. Key Features
- If children are not exposed to language during this critical period, their ability to acquire language declines sharply.
- After this period, language learning becomes more difficult and may never reach native-like fluency.
🔍 Case Studies:
🔹 Genie – The Feral Child (USA)
- Genie was isolated from age 2 to 13, with no exposure to language.
- Despite later training, she never fully developed normal grammar or syntax.
- Supports the idea of a critical period for syntactic development.
🔹 Indian Context:
- Street children who learn language through exposure (without formal schooling) show near-native fluency if exposed early.
- Orphans adopted at age 10 or above may struggle with advanced grammar if they weren’t exposed earlier.
🧪 Neurological Evidence:
- Brain scans show lateralization of language (primarily in the left hemisphere).
- Neuroplasticity is high in early years, enabling easy language learning.
- After puberty, the brain’s plasticity reduces, making new language acquisition effortful.
🔁 Biological vs Environmental Interaction:
| Factor | Role |
|---|---|
| Biological (LAD) | Allows recognition of grammar rules |
| Environmental | Exposure, interaction, reinforcement vital for full development |
🌐 Language is a product of nature and nurture — we’re born ready to learn, but need the right environment to activate it.
📝 UPSC Answer Writing Tips
- Start with a definition of language acquisition.
- Mention Chomsky’s LAD and evidence for innate capacity.
- Explain the Critical Period Hypothesis with case studies (e.g., Genie).
- Use Indian examples or multilingual contexts.
- Conclude with implications in child development, education, and psychology.
