Language Acquisition: Behaviorist, Generativist, and Genetic Paradigms offers a compelling journey through three major theories that have shaped our understanding of how humans acquire language. From the environmental shaping of the Behaviorist Paradigm, to the innate structures proposed by Generativist theory, to the cognitive development focus of the Genetic Paradigm, this book presents a clear, comparative analysis rooted in both historical insight and contemporary relevance.
Designed for students and scholars in linguistics, psychology, education, and cognitive science, this foundational text delves into the assumptions, key thinkers, and critiques of each paradigm. With clarity and depth, it encourages readers to think critically, reflect deeply, and engage with the complexity of language learning across contexts.
Whether you’re exploring the first words of infancy or the cognitive scaffolds of language development, this book invites you to reconsider what it means to acquire language—and why that journey matters.
