Language explained in terms of Cognitive Theories
4. Cognitive Theories of language development do not subscribe to the notion that any knowledge of language is transmitted genetically in humans.
They do, however, hypothesize that important cognitive nonlinguistic precursors to language are inherited.
These include the ability to develop many sophisticated concepts about the world.
Language emerges as a result of cognitive construction in which speech, one of many developing cognitive skills, and concepts are combined.
- Language is, however, only one of several symbolizing skills, to represent and/or manipulate mental concepts about the world.
- The best known Cognitive Theorist is Piaget, who describes how the cognitive capacities of children are qualitatively and quantitatively different from adults. These include the ability to develop many sophisticated concepts about the world.