Language is not Instinctive:
* No pre-programmed language: Humans are not born knowing a specific language. We learn language through exposure and interaction.
* Requires conscious effort: Acquiring language takes time, effort, and deliberate learning. Children need to be actively exposed to language and engage in social interactions to develop their linguistic abilities.
* Variation across cultures: Languages vary significantly across cultures, demonstrating that they are not hardwired into our brains.
Language is Innate:
* Universal grammar: Linguists have identified a universal grammar framework that underlies all human languages. This suggests a biological predisposition for language acquisition.
* Brain regions dedicated to language: Specific areas of the brain are specialized for language processing, like Broca's and Wernicke's areas. These areas are present in all humans, regardless of their native language.
* Critical period: Children have a critical period for language acquisition, meaning that they learn language more easily during early childhood. This suggests a biological window for language development.
* Universality of language: All human societies have language. This suggests an innate human capacity for language.
So, language is not instinctive in the sense that it is not an automatic, innate reflex. However, it is innate in the sense that humans are biologically predisposed to learn and use language. Our brains are wired for language, and we have a critical period for acquiring it.
In other words: Language is like a tool. We are born with the capacity to use tools, but we need to learn how to use specific tools. Language is a tool that we learn to use, and we are biologically predisposed to learn how to use it.