Final answer:
Theorists like Noam Chomsky describe the innate language processor in children as the language acquisition device (LAD), part of our biological predisposition to learn language efficiently during a critical early period of life.
Step-by-step explanation:
The terminology some theorists use to describe the innate language processor that children are born with is the language acquisition device (LAD). This concept was proposed by Noam Chomsky, who argued against B.F. Skinner's behaviorist perspective that language is solely learned through reinforcement and feedback like parental approval. Chomsky suggested that there is a biological predisposition for language acquisition, which operates during a critical period early in life. The LAD is thought to be the mechanism that enables children to rapidly learn and master the language rules and vocabulary of their linguistic environment without formal instruction, highlighting the innate capacity for language development.
Research indicates that language acquisition is a result of an interplay between this innate biological framework and the linguistic environment, encompassing both nature and nurture aspects. The capacity for acquiring language may also trigger changes in the brain that facilitate complex reasoning and communication. Various studies suggest that even from birth, infants have a preference for their mother's voice and can distinguish between familiar and foreign languages, showing that language development begins very early on.