A Usage-Based Theory of Language Acquisition 9 de dec. de 2025
A Usage-Based Theory of Language Acquisition
The interview discusses Tomasello’s usage-based theory, which argues that children learn language through social interaction, shared intentionality, and general cognitive processes rather than an innate language instinct. He explains how uniquely human capacities for cooperation and intention-reading enable gestures like pointing and pantomime, which form the foundation for linguistic conventions. The conversation covers how constructions and grammar emerge from repeated usage, the role of frequency, and how children learn argument structure through general cognitive mechanisms. It also explores implications for second language learning, where learners enter an already conventionalized system, and addresses common critiques of the theory. Finally, it includes future research directions.
