FTCE Reading K-12 Practice Exam

What key concept did Noam Chomsky contribute to language development?

1. Emphasis on memorization as critical

2. Agreement with Skinner on behaviorism in language acquisition

3. The belief in a finite number of sentences in a language

4. The idea that humans have an inborn ability to develop language

The correct answer is: The idea that humans have an inborn ability to develop language

Noam Chomsky's key contribution to language development is the idea that humans possess an innate ability to acquire language, often referred to as the theory of Universal Grammar. This theory posits that the capacity for language is hard-wired into the brain, allowing individuals to learn language naturally without the need for extensive formal instruction or memorization. Chomsky's work shifted the understanding of language acquisition from behaviorist views, which focused on external reinforcement and imitation, to an emphasis on the internal cognitive processes that facilitate language learning. This fundamental concept underscores the belief that all humans are born with a set of grammatical structures that enable them to create and understand an infinite number of sentences in their native language, regardless of the specific language being learned.