Question

Which of the following observations is cited to support the idea that language is learned?

a. Parents and children communicate with shared signals before language appears. b. All humans exhibit similar language development patterns regardless of their exposure to linguistic input.
c. Non-human animals, such as chimpanzees and dolphins, display complex communication abilities without explicit language instruction.
d. Twins raised in different environments develop language skills at the same rate, suggesting a genetic basis for language acquisition.

Answer 1

Option (a) 'Parents and children communicate with shared signals before language appears,' supports the idea that language is learned, aligning with the interactional aspect of language acquisition theories. The correct option is a.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question 'Which of the following observations is cited to support the idea that language is learned?' can be answered by looking closely at the options given and the information about language acquisition.

In this case, option (a) 'Parents and children communicate with shared signals before language appears,' supports the idea that language is learned. This is because it indicates an interactional environment wherein children pick up communication cues from their parents before the formal structure of language is even introduced.

Both external reinforcement and the biological capacity for language acquisition play significant roles in learning language, as proposed by B. F. Skinner and Noam Chomsky, respectively.

However, it's the shared signals between parents and children that most directly suggest that the language is learned through environmental interactions. The correct option is a.