UNIVERSAL GRAMMAR HYPOTHESIS

This theory is related to the innate knowledge (the author claims) is inside us for acquiring the mother tongue. It is important to highlight that this theory was not thought for giving an explanation to the acquisition of the second language, but just to the understanding of the first language acquisition.

There is an endowment located in the broca area in the brain which is the responsible of permitting children acquire the language during a critical period. There are divided opinions when explaining this theory because some authors think this hypothesis can be used for explaining second language acquisition, while some others think it cannot.

“Others argue that, although it is a good framework for understanding first language acquisition, UG is no longer available to guide the acquisition of the second language in learners who have passed the critical period for language acquisition.”

When reflecting upon the critical period we see it cannot be used for acquiring a second language because that period has been overcome by the acquisition of the first language.

Posted by: Jessica B. Liberato