Which concept posits that all humans have a language acquisition device (LAD) to help understand grammatical rules?

• A. Noam Chomsky
• B. Interactionist Theory
• C. LAD (Language Acquisition Device)
• D. Universal Grammar

Answer: (C)

The idea being tested is that humans are born with an innate language learning mechanism—the Language Acquisition Device. This hypothetical mental module, proposed by Noam Chomsky, helps people infer the rules of grammar from the language they hear, rather than just imitate sentences. It explains why children quickly acquire complex grammar even with imperfect or limited input, because the LAD provides an inborn framework for organizing linguistic data. Related to this is Universal Grammar, the idea that there are universal grammatical principles shared across languages that the LAD taps into. While other theories emphasize social interaction or environmental input, the LAD specifically refers to the innate mechanism that enables understanding and internalization of grammatical rules.