Response to The Language Instinct

When first examining Pinker’s novel, I questioned whether I believed that language could be proven as an instinct. I soon came to realize, however, that many of my beliefs concerning language and its acquisition were incorrect. Upon examining new evidence, I have corrected previously incorrect notions and begun to accept language as instinctual.

Pinker presents a theory concerning the presence of Motherese that has become so prevalent in America. Upon reading about these facts, I realized how pervasive these beliefs are in my own life. My mother has always impressed upon me the great responsibility of parents to speak to their children and help them learn as much as possible in their impressionable early years. Though this attention must certainly be important in child development, its affect on language has been proven much less than mothers would want to admit. Extensive evidence from studies enlightened me to the fact that the credit for acquiring language belongs to the child rather than a well-meaning mother or caretaker.

I realized an additional misconception I have always held concerning the dialect properly called Black English Vernacular. I had always assumed that those using this dialect were simply exercising improper English skills. This use of language, however, proves to be as linguistically sound as the Standard American English Language. Speakers observe consistent grammar rules and seem to follow the pattern established according to the universality of all languages. BEV may not be acceptable in primary schools across America, but the consistency of the language without formal training proves that a common instinct lies somewhere in the minds of its speakers.