Who is associated with the nativist theory of language acquisition?

The nativist theory of language acquisition is prominently associated with Noam Chomsky, who proposed that the ability to acquire language is an innate human capacity. Chomsky introduced the concept of a "universal grammar," suggesting that all humans are born with an inherent understanding of the fundamental principles of language. This perspective posits that children are pre-wired to learn language, and that exposure to linguistic input activates this innate knowledge.

Chomsky's ideas revolutionized the study of language acquisition by emphasizing the biological and cognitive aspects of language development, contrasting with behaviorist theories that attribute language learning solely to environmental factors and reinforcement. His work laid the groundwork for a better understanding of how children can learn complex grammatical structures and vocabulary without explicit instruction.