Skinner proposed a theory of Operant Conditioning to account for Language Acquisition The child learns to associate the sound 'Daddy' with the person.ī. Mother says, 'Daddy,' to the child each time Dad comes in the room.

The learning process for symbols, however, would be the same.

In this case, the bell was a sign-a call to action.

The bell in Pavlov's experiment became associated with food and the dog salivated at just the sound of the bell alone.

Classical Conditioning: In one of Pavlov's experiments in learning, he rang a bell when he fed a dog.

This certainly comes to mind as one observes the two and a half year old child pickup words with dazzling speed.

It is possible that this system provides the human brain with the capacity to make the referent-symbol association with minimal stimulation and little effort.

He called this the Language Acquisition Device (LAD).

The Language Acquisition Device (LAD): Chomsky proposed a special neurological system in the human brain that facilitates language development. Their roles may vary depending upon the stage of language development the child has reached.Ĭhomsky's Language Acquisition Device and Classical Conditioning Theory may explain Symbolic Acquisition.I can think of at least five different processes that may account for the development of these Referent-Symbol associations.Then comes a process of refinement as parents read to, and correct the child's communication errors.Hence, a cat, a goat, a horse and a cow may all be called 'dog' by the two year old.Their first inclination is to over generalize and name anything that walks on for legs a dog.Now the struggle begins for the child to determine just which referents are to be included within the umbrella of the symbol.The Child must determine which referents belong within a Symbol's umbrella of meaning. NOTES: Get more about Semantics ( if you don't have a life.) Reality, however, is not very efficient, and the child soon becomes aware that other referents can be associated with the same symbol.

Children, perhaps, see it as it really is.

Ironically, that is reality, because there are no two things alike in the world.

That means, the symbol 'dog' refers to that one dog and no others.

Often, this association is very concrete. It might be a shoe, for example or a pet dog.

Initially, when the child is almost a year old they begin to receptively associate a Symbol (S) with an Referent (R).

But how do they get that meaning? Its through the interaction of the symbol and the environment.

Morphemes are the smallest unit of a language that can carry meaning.

Semantic Rules-Language Content Semantic Rules-Language Content

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