Animal Quote by Noam Chomsky
“No one seriously doubts that if Piraha children are brought up in Boston they'll be speaking Boston English, that is, that the capacities are present, unlike other animals, as far as is known. There's no challenge to the theory - not mine, but everyone's - that the human language faculty provides the means for generation of an infinite array of structured expressions.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Language and Mind, 1995
Human language capacity is innate, allowing infinite expression, regardless of specific cultural upbringing.
In simple terms: We are born with a universal grammar that creates endless sentences.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and nurture innate linguistic abilities.
Themes
language
innateness
infinite expression
Mood
analytical
inquisitive
Type
linguistic
scientific
When to use this quote
- education
- child development
- cross‑cultural communication
Key Concepts
generative grammar
cognitive science
Questions to Reflect On
- How does environment influence language use?
- What limits might restrict innate potential?
A Different Perspective
Cultural factors still shape how that potential is realized.
![“I wrote an article about the marine landing [in Haiti] right away, but barely mentioned the oil, because my article would come out two months later and I assumed by then, "of course, everybody knows." Nobody knew. There was a news report in the Wall Street Journal, in the petroleum journals, and…” quote by Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dc5/noam-chomsky-42_articles_i-wrote-an-article-about-the-marine-land_13341.jpg)
