Universally applicable means that something applies to all individuals or situations without exception. In the context of Noam Chomsky's theory of language acquisition, researchers argue that it may not apply uniformly across all languages and cultures.
Related terms
Cross-cultural Studies: Cross-cultural studies involve comparing different cultures to identify similarities and differences in various aspects such as language acquisition, behavior, and social norms.
Linguistic Relativity: Linguistic relativity is the idea that the structure of a language influences the perception and cognition of its speakers. It suggests that different languages shape how individuals think about the world around them.
Sociolinguistics: Sociolinguistics is a field of study that examines how language varies and changes within social groups. It explores how factors like ethnicity, class, gender, and geography influence language use and acquisition.