NYSTCE English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Practice Test

What is meant by the term "poverty of stimulus"?

1. The idea that children learn language from minimal environmental exposure

2. The assertion that children require extensive exposure to learn language

3. The belief that children are born with innate language skills

4. The understanding that language is learned through imitation only

The correct answer is: The idea that children learn language from minimal environmental exposure

The term "poverty of stimulus" refers to the concept that children are able to learn complex grammatical structures and linguistic rules despite having limited and often incomplete input from their environment. This idea underscores that the language exposure children receive is insufficient to account for the richness of the language systems they eventually acquire. The premise is built on the observation that language development occurs rapidly and uniformly across children, regardless of the specific linguistic environment they are raised in. Thus, if children were reliant solely on the language input around them, they would not be able to construct the sophisticated grammatical frameworks that they often demonstrate. This situation supports the theory that there must be some innate cognitive structures or abilities that facilitate language acquisition beyond mere environmental exposure. This understanding contrasts with the notion that extensive exposure is necessary for language learning, the belief that language ability comes solely from imitation, or the idea that innate language skills alone are responsible for language development. In summary, "poverty of stimulus" highlights a critical aspect of linguistic theory related to how children acquire language in the face of seemingly inadequate input.