I found the language video that we were asked to watch for our discussion board assignment rather interesting. The idea that "motherese" is a fairly universal form of communication for parents is really incredible. Sure, the languages change, but the tones and intonations remain largely unchanged. It seems that it's natural for us to speak to very young children this way. I know when I look back on my communication with my young niece, I spoke to her like this on a fairly regular basis for the early part of her life. Now she's five years old and I have rather intricate, more adult-like conversations with her and it makes me wonder how much of this early "motherese" or "parentese" talk has propelled her into her broad vocabulary and ability to carry on rather intensive conversations. It's something that I'll certainly keep in mind much more when I have a child.
I also found Chomsky's ideas on a learning acquisition device intriguing. I'm not sure how accurate it is, but I certainly buy into the idea that there is something inherent in us that allows us to naturally learn language. Of course, we must be taught and urged on my those around us so that we're able to communicate in the best way possible, but I think that the hybrid theory makes quite a bit of sense, urging us to think about a variety of things when thinking about how language and the art of communication is learned.
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