In 1994, when Steven Pinker’s book “The language instinct” was published, the linguistic world was confronted with the renewed debate, whether language comes from innate ideas or is just the result of experiencing and learning. This important debate which concerns linguistics until today will be the topic of the following work. The important question is, if a language instinct really exists and which evidence one can provide to assume that our language ability is inherited. Until today, there is great discussion and speculation about innate language ideas and the most important proponent for them nowadays is Steven Pinker. To set his nativist ideas in an appropriate context, it is necessary to explain where the ideas of “nativism” and the opposite linguistic school “empiricism” come from and what characteristics they show. This constructs a context and prepares a base for the focus on Pinker’s book. The most important founder of today’s nativist thoughts is certainly Noam Chomsky, whose ideas were the basis for Pinker’s assumption of a language instinct. For this reason, I will present a short summary of Chomsky’s ideas as the last aspect of the first chapter. Pinker’s arguments put forward in his work “The language instinct” will form the main part and second chapter of my work. I will present his definition of a language instinct and his given evidence for its existence. Because of the complexity of the pieces of evidence put forward in his whole work, I will pick up two of his most important aspects for innate language ideas: Pidgin and creoles and the case of the KE-Family. Afterwards, I will focus on two of his critics, Geoffrey Samspon and Stefan Schaden, because they composed both works being direct responses to Pinker’s “The language instinct”. This will permit us to discuss the question about its existence and which of the arguments for and against it appear more convincing. To prepare this discussion at the end, I will particularly have a closer look at Schaden’s and Sampson’s explicit refutes concerning Pinker’s main points of evidence. As a last step, I will summarize and discuss the arguments of the two sides carefully and complete my work with drawing my personal conclusion about the important question, if a language instinct really exists.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Where does language come from?
- Empiricist and nativist views
- The return of the native – basic assumptions of Noam Chomsky
- Steven Pinker - The language instinct
- Definition of a language instinct
- Pinker's evidence for the existence of a language instinct
- Pidgins and creoles
- The example of the KE-Family
- Counter arguments to Pinker's view: Geoffrey Sampson and Stefan Schaden
- Schaden concerning pidgins and creoles
- Sampson's view towards the case of the KE-Family
- Summary and discussion
Objectives and Key Themes
This work examines the ongoing debate in linguistics concerning the origins of language: is it innate or learned? It focuses on Steven Pinker's nativist perspective, as presented in "The Language Instinct," and contrasts it with empiricist critiques by Geoffrey Sampson and Stefan Schaden. The aim is to analyze the key arguments for and against the existence of a language instinct, exploring the evidence presented and assessing the strengths and weaknesses of each position.
- The nature versus nurture debate in linguistics
- Steven Pinker's theory of a language instinct
- Evidence for and against the language instinct (Pidgins and Creoles, KE Family)
- Critiques of Pinker's theory by Sampson and Schaden
- A comparative analysis of nativist and empiricist viewpoints
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This chapter introduces the central question of the work: does an innate language instinct exist? It sets the stage by outlining the historical debate between nativist and empiricist views, emphasizing the significance of Steven Pinker's work and the need for contextualizing his arguments within the broader history of linguistic thought. It lays out the structure of the work, highlighting the inclusion of both supporting and opposing viewpoints, ultimately promising a balanced discussion and concluding remarks.
Where does language come from?: This chapter delves into the long-standing "nature-nurture" debate surrounding language acquisition. It explores the historical perspectives on this question, tracing back to ancient Greek philosophers and continuing through modern linguistics. The chapter introduces the core concepts of empiricism and nativism, establishing the framework for understanding the differing perspectives on language acquisition explored later in the text. It emphasizes the complexity of the question and the lack of a definitive answer, highlighting the ongoing scientific investigation into the origins of language.
Steven Pinker - The language instinct: This chapter focuses on Steven Pinker's theory of a language instinct. It presents Pinker's definition of the concept, exploring the evidence he presents to support his claims. Specific examples, such as the development of pidgins and creoles and the case of the KE family, are mentioned as crucial pieces of evidence supporting the existence of an innate capacity for language acquisition. The chapter acts as a deep dive into Pinker's argument, highlighting the complexity of his theory.
Counter arguments to Pinker's view: Geoffrey Sampson and Stefan Schaden: This chapter presents counterarguments to Pinker's nativist perspective. It summarizes the critiques of Geoffrey Sampson and Stefan Schaden, focusing on their rebuttals to Pinker's use of pidgins and creoles and the KE family as supporting evidence. The chapter directly compares the viewpoints of Pinker and his critics, showcasing the different interpretations of the presented evidence. This chapter provides a detailed explanation of the opposing perspective.
Keywords
Language instinct, nativism, empiricism, language acquisition, Steven Pinker, Geoffrey Sampson, Stefan Schaden, pidgins, creoles, KE family, nature vs. nurture, psycholinguistics.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this text?
This text examines the ongoing debate in linguistics concerning the origins of language: is it innate (nativism) or learned (empiricism)? It focuses on Steven Pinker's nativist perspective, as presented in "The Language Instinct," and contrasts it with empiricist critiques by Geoffrey Sampson and Stefan Schaden.
What are the key themes explored in this text?
Key themes include the nature versus nurture debate in linguistics, Steven Pinker's theory of a language instinct, evidence for and against the language instinct (using examples like pidgins and creoles, and the KE family), critiques of Pinker's theory by Sampson and Schaden, and a comparative analysis of nativist and empiricist viewpoints.
Who are the key figures discussed in this text?
The text centers on Steven Pinker, whose "The Language Instinct" proposes a nativist view of language acquisition. It also features critiques from empiricist linguists Geoffrey Sampson and Stefan Schaden, who challenge Pinker's evidence and conclusions.
What evidence is used to support and refute the idea of a language instinct?
Evidence supporting the language instinct includes the rapid development of creoles from pidgins and the unique linguistic abilities (or lack thereof) in the KE family. Counterarguments focus on alternative explanations for these phenomena, questioning the strength of these examples as evidence for an innate language faculty.
What are pidgins and creoles, and how are they relevant to this debate?
Pidgins are simplified languages that emerge from contact between speakers of different languages. Creoles are languages that develop from pidgins, often exhibiting complex grammatical structures. Their development is used by Pinker to support the idea of an innate language capacity, while critics argue that their evolution can be explained through other mechanisms.
What is the significance of the KE family in this debate?
The KE family demonstrates a specific genetic condition impacting language development. Pinker uses this case as evidence for a genetic predisposition to language, while Sampson challenges this interpretation, suggesting alternative explanations for the family's linguistic challenges.
What is the overall conclusion or takeaway from this text?
The text aims to provide a balanced overview of the nativist versus empiricist debate regarding language acquisition. It presents the key arguments of both sides, utilizing the work of Pinker, Sampson, and Schaden, without necessarily reaching a definitive conclusion but offering a comprehensive understanding of the complexities involved.
What are the main chapter summaries?
The text includes summaries of chapters covering an introduction to the debate, an exploration of the historical perspectives on language origins, a detailed examination of Pinker's "language instinct" theory, a presentation of counterarguments from Sampson and Schaden, and a concluding summary and discussion of the arguments presented.
What are the keywords associated with this text?
Keywords include: Language instinct, nativism, empiricism, language acquisition, Steven Pinker, Geoffrey Sampson, Stefan Schaden, pidgins, creoles, KE family, nature vs. nurture, psycholinguistics.
- Quote paper
- Magister Kommunikationswissenschaft Linda Neuhaus (Author), 2005, Does a language instinct exist? The language Instinct Debate., Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/41380
