Language acquisition seems to be the same across cultures with very different languages, supporting the role of _____ in language development. Without exposure to human speech, a child cannot develop normal speech, supporting the role of _____ in language development.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The first part of the statement suggests that language acquisition is primarily driven by innate factors (nature) that are common across different cultures and languages. This idea is supported by research in linguistics and psychology. However, the second part of the statement suggests that exposure to language (nurture) is also necessary for normal language development. This is also supported by empirical evidence, as children who are deprived of human speech during the critical period of language acquisition often have significant deficits in their language abilities. Therefore, the best choice is C, which recognizes the importance of both nature and nurture in language development.

Language Acquisition Seems to Be the Same Across Cultures with Very