Children Quote by Anonymous
““Chomsky thinks this is impossible. Instead, he argues, a child could only show this extensive knowledge of the rules of grammar so quickly if that knowledge were already pre-programmed into his or her brain. The basis of language then, Chomsky argues, is not an external system of conventions, but something internal to individuals’ brains.””
About This Quote
Chomsky argues that children’s rapid acquisition of grammar suggests innate, pre‑wired language structures rather than learned conventions.
In simple terms: Language ability is built‑in, not just learned.
Key Takeaway
Recognize innate learning capacities.
Themes
language
cognitive science
innateness
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
academic
When to use this quote
- education
- language teaching
- child development
Key Concepts
nativist theory
grammar acquisition
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence supports innate language structures?
- How might this view affect language education?
![“I personally never expected anything of Obama, and wrote about it before the 2008 primaries. I thought it was smoke and mirrors [...] I don't usually admire Sarah Palin, but when she was making fun of this 'hopey changey' stuff, she was right, there was nothing there. And it was understood by the…” quote by Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c77/noam-chomsky-42_chomsky_i-personally-never-expected-anything-of_949949.jpg)
![“[A TV commercial] crossed my desk in 1986. It came with a press release boasting about an enormous production budget employed in service of what it termed a communications “breakthrough”. The secret of this particular breakthrough was the science of semiotics — i.e., conveying meaning via powerful…” quote by Bob Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/147/bob-garfield-61148_communication_a-tv-commercial-crossed-my-desk-in-1986_817180.jpg)
