What discovery did Chomsky make regarding language acquisition in children?

Noam Chomsky's significant contribution to the understanding of language acquisition in children revolves around the concept that language is not simply learned through imitation or reinforcement, as suggested by other theories. Instead, he proposed that humans possess an inherent ability or natural propensity for learning language, which he referred to as the "language acquisition device." This innate capacity allows children to grasp complex grammatical rules and sentence structures, even when they are not explicitly taught.

Chomsky argued that the ability to learn language is a fundamental aspect of human cognition, which emerges naturally during development. His theories emphasized the role of internal cognitive structures rather than solely external factors, such as the environment or behavioral reinforcement. This perspective has influenced further research and understanding in the fields of linguistics, cognitive psychology, and education, highlighting the complexity of language development that transcends mere imitation or environmental influences.