Give a detailed definition of Universal Grammar. Explain what could be two possible principles of Universal Grammar.

Question 1

a) Give a detailed definition of Universal Grammar. Explain what could be two possible principles of Universal Grammar.

b) Give three types of evidence or arguments to support the idea of Universal Grammar. Explain how each supports the idea of UG.

c) Give three types of evidence or arguments that argue against Universal Grammar. Explain how each argues against the idea of UG.

Question 2. 

a) Discuss one subfield of language (e.g., phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics) that non-human primates (NHP) are more successful at learning. Explain and give examples. Discuss one subfield of language that NHP are less successful at learning. Explain and give examples.

b) What methods work better for teaching language to NHP? What methods are less successful? Discuss why you think some methods work better than others.

c) What are arguments some researchers use to defend the position that NHP can learn language? What are arguments other researchers use to defend the position that NHP cannot learn language?

Question 3.

a) Explain the difference between the domain-specific and the domain-general views of the relationship between language and other cognitive processes.

b) Using information from the lectures on ape language, language evolution, and genetic disorders, provide evidence to support the domain-specific view on language. Explain in detail.

c) Using information from the lectures on ape language, language evolution, and genetic disorders, provide evidence to support the domain-general view on language. Explain in detail.