Interactionism
Social interactionist approach
The last theory, the social interaction, “assumes that language acquisition is influenced by
the interaction of a number of factors – physical, linguistic, cognitive, and social,” (Cooter &
Reutzel, 2004). This theory shares many of the same explanations as the other three
theories. Perhaps two of the biggest names in the Interactionist Theory of Language
acquisition are Lev Vygotsky and Jerome Bruner.
This article explores the Interactionist Theory of language acquisition, another theory that
encompasses how children and adults learn and acquire languages.
Language Learning at an Early Age
From birth, children are surrounded by others who talk to them or with them. This
communication plays a part in how the baby learns to speak his or her native language.
Some argue that "nature" is entirely responsible for how a baby learns a language, while
others argue that "nurture" is responsible for how a baby picks up his or her mother
tongue. Social interactionists argue that the way a baby learns a language is both
biological and social.
Everyone loves to coo at babies, and this "baby talk" is exposing the child to language,
whether we realize it or not. Interactionists believe that children are born with brains that
predispose them to the ability to pick up languages as well as with a desire to
communicate. Some Interactionists even argue that babies and children cue their parents
and other adults into giving them the linguistic exposure they need to learn a language.
The Interactionist Theory posits that children can only learn language from someone who
wants to communicate with them.
Vygotsky and Bruner
A. Vygotsky
Vygotsky’s Social Development Theory
Vygotsky’s work is often placed with this theory because of the emphasis he placed on the
importance of social interaction to learn language. Another influential author, M.A.K.
Halliday, believes that children learn language out of need to function in society: “Babies
acquire language in order to survive, have their needs met, and express themselves”
Vygotsky’s Social Development Theory is the work of Russian psychologist Lev Vygotsky
(1896-1934), who lived during Russian Revolution. his work was largely unkown to the
West until it was published in 1962.
