What do all languages have in common? - Cameron Morin

Dig into Noam Chomsky’s theory of universal grammar and decide: are there universal grammar rules and are they hardwired into our brains?

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Language is endlessly variable. Each of us can come up with an infinite number of sentences in our native language, and we’re able to do so from an early age— almost as soon as we start to communicate in sentences. How is this possible? In the early 1950s, Noam Chomsky proposed a theory that the key to this versatility was grammar. Cameron Morin details Chomsky's theory of universal grammar.

Lesson by Cameron Morin, directed by Eoin Duffy.

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[themicoism]

Why do I feel like I'm in a hurry while listening to this?

[illione]

When your powerpoint is 80% of your grade:

[yeyu]

Illustrator: How many transitions do you want?
Ted-Ed: All of them.

[thereseboegel]

This is a perfect example of why it can actually be really helpful to have bad ideas. The theory of universal grammar was absolutly wrong about almost everything, but in seeking the answers for this question Chomsky found answers that no one had thought to look for.

[averagegamedeveloper]

The Drums and the sounds in the background makes it feel like we're making a Hiest Plan

[saimirfan]

"What do languages have in common?"
Me, an intellectual: Swear words?

[Canguroenglish]

'The linguist' who studied Piraha is called Dan Everett and I recommend you read his book 'Don't Sleep There Are Snakes' and listen to the podcast 'The Story of Language' (which I produce) in which he talks about language, cognition, and culture in great detail.

[Greatcountry]

Ok I usually don’t comment but is NO ONE going to talk about the aesthetically pleasing animations?

[therealgibby]

I looked at the notification for this and said "they're spoken" and laughed at how smart I was.

I then remembered sign language was a thing.

[anertmoodie]

What's common in all languages?
Me an intellectual: Words

[abhijitbadgujar]

The animator is in a different creative universe altogether. Very lively and smooth visuals. Great work.

[eltonparks]

Chomsky never stopped evaluating his own work; knowledge is an ever growing experience.

[jive]

The language of music is strong on this one.

[trumpet_boooi]

what do english and spanish have in common?

"no"

alright then, keep your secrets

[MusiCaninesTheMusicalDogs]

So Chomsky was wrong about everything he proposed, still he deserves credit for being responsible for the development of his field?! Damn, I think we can call him Freud of linguistics, then!

[somethingsea]

[ - ] [ - ]--
Glasses acorrding to Ted Ed

[gamingfun]

TED ED:what do languages have in common
Me:they are all launguages

[thedwightguy]

My toddler son met his Japanese cousin in Beijing. She didn't speak English or Mandarin. So, the two started their own language. The parents were amazed, the grandparents incredulous.

[wesleybantugan]

This just goes to show, wrong ideas can still overhaul the scientific community

[QuestionEverythingButWHY]

“The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.”
― Plutarch