From UG to the Biolinguistic Program

Introduction: Setting the Stage Noam Chomsky's revolutionary theories on language acquisition, notably his concept of Universal Grammar, have profoundly reshaped our understanding of human cognition and language. At the heart of his work is a clear alignment with the rationalist tradition—a lineage of thought represented by philosophers like Descartes, Kant, and Plato (Lyons, 1991). These philosophers argued that certain forms of knowledge are innate rather than solely derived from experience. Chomsky’s idea of Universal Grammar posits that humans are born with a built-in capacity for language, challenging empiricist views which suggest that knowledge comes purely from sensory experience. By drawing parallels with rationalist concepts, such as Descartes’ innate ideas and Plato’s doctrine of anamnesis, Chomsky frames language as an inherent cognitive structure that is triggered rather than taught. This perspective not only redefines language learning but also touches on deeper ...