Here's why Tomasello disagrees with the nativist theory:
* Universal Grammar: The nativist theory posits that humans are born with an innate language acquisition device (LAD) containing Universal Grammar, which defines the fundamental rules of all languages. Tomasello argues that the evidence for a universal grammar is weak and that children's language learning is more influenced by their social interactions and the specific language they are exposed to.
* Poverty of the Stimulus: The nativist theory claims that the input children receive is insufficient to learn language, implying the need for an innate LAD. Tomasello argues that children are exposed to a vast amount of language data, which is rich enough for learning. He also emphasizes the importance of social cues and interactions in language acquisition.
* Focus on Syntax: Nativist theories focus heavily on syntax (the rules of sentence structure). Tomasello argues that this focus is too narrow and ignores the crucial role of other aspects of language, such as semantics (meaning), pragmatics (social use of language), and the development of communicative skills.
Tomasello's alternative view:
Tomasello proposes a usage-based theory of language acquisition, which emphasizes the role of social interaction, communication, and the child's ability to understand the intentions of others in learning language. He argues that children learn language by observing and participating in communicative acts, drawing inferences from the context, and gradually constructing their own understanding of language.
In summary:
Tomasello fundamentally disagrees with the nativist theory, advocating for a usage-based approach that places greater emphasis on social interaction, communication, and the child's ability to understand others' intentions in language acquisition.