Eric Lenneberg

Definition

Eric Lenneberg was a prominent linguist and neurologist, best known for his work on the Critical Period Hypothesis, which posits that there is a biologically determined window for language acquisition. His research suggests that the ability to learn a language is significantly diminished after a certain age, highlighting the interplay between biology and language development.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Lenneberg's work in the 1960s laid the groundwork for understanding how age affects language learning abilities, particularly in children.
2. He provided evidence from studies of brain injury and the effects of second language learning, reinforcing the idea of a critical period.
3. Lenneberg argued that the inability to acquire language past a certain age is linked to neurological changes that occur during maturation.
4. His hypothesis has implications for education and policy, especially concerning language instruction for younger versus older learners.
5. Lenneberg's ideas have sparked extensive debate and research in fields like linguistics, psychology, and cognitive science, influencing theories on bilingualism and second language acquisition.

Review Questions

• How did Eric Lenneberg contribute to our understanding of the relationship between age and language acquisition?
  • Eric Lenneberg significantly advanced our understanding of how age impacts language acquisition through his Critical Period Hypothesis. He argued that there is a biologically predetermined period during which children can learn languages most effectively. His studies on brain injury also showed that language abilities are more resilient in younger individuals, indicating that neurological factors play a crucial role in language learning capacities as one ages.
• Discuss the implications of Lenneberg's findings on education and language policy regarding second language instruction.
  • Lenneberg's findings have profound implications for education and language policy, particularly concerning when to introduce second languages in schools. His Critical Period Hypothesis suggests that younger learners have an advantage in acquiring new languages. This has led to recommendations for early immersion programs that capitalize on children's natural ability to absorb languages, thereby shaping teaching methodologies and curricular decisions aimed at optimizing language learning outcomes.
• Evaluate how Eric Lenneberg's work has influenced modern theories in linguistics and cognitive science.
  • Eric Lenneberg's work has had a lasting impact on modern theories in both linguistics and cognitive science by introducing the concept of a critical period for language acquisition. This notion has prompted further research into the cognitive mechanisms underlying language learning and the importance of biological factors. Additionally, his ideas have influenced discussions surrounding bilingualism, leading researchers to explore how age, neurological development, and environmental factors interact in shaping linguistic capabilities throughout an individual's life.

Related terms

Critical Period Hypothesis: A theory suggesting that there is a specific time frame in early human development during which language acquisition occurs most easily and effectively.

Language Acquisition Device: A theoretical construct proposed by Noam Chomsky, suggesting that humans are born with an innate ability to acquire language.

Neurolinguistics: The study of the relationship between language and the brain, including how language is processed and produced neurologically.