* One of the questions that linguists have been studying is whether babies learn about language from imitating and copying adults or whether language is somehow instinctive. Like many of the debates in child development, there is evidence to support both sides. A baby, for example, does imitate an adult's smile and vocalise more if adults are encouraging and attentive. This suggests the importance of the environment in learning language. But there again, all babies in their first few months produce the same coos and babbles regardless of the language they are being exposed to or whether they can even hear. This, in contrast, suggests that language is in some way instinctive. Many linguists believe that both nature and nurture are likely to be working in combination. The chances are that we are born with the ability to pick up a language, but we need to be exposed to it and encouraged in order to develop it.
* One of the questions that linguists have been studying is whether babies learn about language from imitating and copying adults or whether language is somehow instinctive. Like many of the debates in child development, there is evidence to support both sides. A baby, for example, does imitate an adult's smile and vocalise more if adults are encouraging and attentive.
This suggests the importance of the environment in learning language. But there again, all babies in their first few months produce the same coos and babbles regardless of the language they are being exposed to or whether they can even hear. This, in contrast, suggests that language is in some way instinctive. Many linguists believe that both nature and nurture are likely to be working in combination. The chances are that we are born with the ability to pick up a language, but we need to be exposed to it and encouraged in order to develop it.
