Language Acquisition Device

The Language Acquisition Device (LAD) is a concept proposed by linguist Noam Chomsky, suggesting that humans are born with an innate mental capacity specifically for acquiring language. This "built-in" mechanism allows children to effortlessly learn the language(s) they are exposed to, by recognizing patterns and rules in speech. Essentially, the LAD acts as an internal blueprint that helps us develop language skills naturally, without needing formal teaching. It explains why young children can quickly learn complex grammar and vocabulary, highlighting that the ability to acquire language is an inherent part of human nature.