It is undeniable that nature plays a role in language acquisition especially in children. . Nature plays several roles in language acquisition and development. Nature allows better perception of speech than various other sounds. In addition, the nature of human vocal cavity where the larynx is placed in the respiratory tract makes it easy to manipulate the tongue thus enhancing speech processing. It is unsurprising that children that are congruently deaf learn to communicate effectively by use of signals language at a steady rate taken by normal children to make it through speech learning process.
Human brain is designed for easy language acquisition in children. According to Chomskyi, human brain is said to posses an inbuilt feature known as the Language Acquisition Device (LAD), that enables children to acquire native language speeches faster than other languages. In relation to Chomskyis research, the LAD has interconnected speech signals related to indigenous language switches (Klein, 1986).
On the other hand, nurture plays a vital role in the acquisition of language in children. Language exposure that is offered to children helps them to learn language faster than if they were enclosed. In fact, imitation of what children hear hastens their ability to learn the language. The parents insisting on certain word pronunciation while they teach children how to speak enhances childrens language acquisition skills.
Interaction between nature and nurture in language acquisition results to very complex development in language structure. Children hear speeches they try imitating, uttering one word, then two words, and afterwards strings of words through assistance by parents and other children who make their environment. More so, brain interaction with universal grammar causes maturity of language in humans. Nature initiates language acquisition while nurture perfects it.
Lexicon is defined as the systematic signal content of a certain language in which language vocabulary and syntax is stored. Lexicon is important in language acquisition and development because it contains lexemes of the language and plays a major role in the organization of mental vocabulary of a certain language speaker. For example, lexicon for English is different from French lexicon.
Lexical Decision experiments, age and frequency of language acquisition in children was tested in six different experiments to show the relationships of word naming pace and the ability to recognize written words. In the first experiment, it was realized that speed of naming words is affected by the acquisition age, holding frequency constant. In the second experiment which controlled acquisition age while testing frequency of word naming, no effect was found. Immediate word naming speed was affected by acquisition age and not frequency, as found out in experiments 3 and 4. The fifth and sixth experiments however tested independent effects of frequency and acquisition age on word naming (Marsley-Wilson, 1991).
Language acquisition is quicker in children and becomes limited at the onset of puberty. Most language signals can be learnt easily in young brains than in grown ups. It is thus difficult for adults to learn new language with its specific accent.
In conclusion, language acquisition is affected by the interaction of nature and nurture. Nature however plays a greater role than nurture.
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