UG (Universal Grammar)

Universal Grammar (UG) is a theory suggesting that humans are born with an innate biological foundation for language. It proposes that, despite the vast diversity of languages, there are built-in grammatical principles shared across all languages. This innate framework helps children quickly grasp language rules around them, enabling rapid language acquisition. Think of UG as a mental 'starter kit' for language, providing foundational rules that are then adapted to individual languages during childhood. It highlights the idea that our ability to learn language is wired into our brains, rather than entirely learned through experience alone.