BIOLOGICALLY TRIGGERED BEHAVIOUR
Lenneberg (1967) pointed out parallels between language acquisition in infants and those types of human behaviour (e.g. the development of vision or the growth of teeth) which are not under our control but are part of biological development. He suggested that language shares a number of the characteristics of biologically triggered behaviour, of which the most important (Aitchison, 1998) are:
1 It emerges before it is necessary.
2 Its development does not result from a conscious intention.
3 Its development is not triggered by external events– though it may be dependent upon an appropriate environment.
4 Teaching and practice have relatively little effect.
5 Its development goes through a series of stages.
6 There may be an optimal period for the behaviour to develop.
See also: Critical period, Nativism
Further reading: Aitchison (1998: 66–90)
