The language instinct
What is
language? Is it innate? Is it an instinct? Do we have an innate grammar or do
we learn from the society? How do you think a Martian would see the
approximately 6000 languages in the world? As separate languages or as one
single language?
Other
interesting questions are found in the amazing book of Steven Pinker, a
psycholinguist in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Language is an
instinct as we can assume from the title of the book: The language instinct. Language
is an evolutionary adaptation that is partly ``hard-wired'' into the brain and
partly learned. Language is innate and we have a common universal grammar.
Pinker explains
the findings of Chomsky to non-experts too with his easy, witty and
story-telling language. However, he doesn’t agree with Chomsky in every matter.
For example, the author doesn’t see any problems with a selective explanation
for the evolution of language. According to him we should date the origins of
language more than 30,000 years ago. However, the difference between human and
non-human languages will be the grammar. Chimps or other non-human primates are
unable to produce or use grammar.
He deals with
language acquisition of children. They must have an innate knowledge about language.
They are able to acquire such a complex structure like language. Babies can distinguish
phonemes under the age of six months that adults cannot.
He gives several
pieces of evidence for his thesis throughout the book: the growth of creoles
from pidgins, the existence of sign languages, the distribution of language
ability, and studies of brain-damaged speakers.
He constructs a
bridge between the Chomskyan innate theory and the social interaction
approach.
It’s a very good
and comprehensive introduction to general linguistics.