For several years Noam Chomsky has produced written artifacts relating to language use and acquisition. In his works, Chomsky argues that humans have an innate ability to learn to use language. The question of the innate ability to learn language is an interdisciplinary question, involving the fields of psychology, philosophy and linguistics. This essay will examine Chomsky's claim of an innate predisposition to acquire language by first attempting to determine exactly what Chomsky means by this term, before examining the key arguments both supporting and refuting the claim. Finally, a conclusion will be reached as to whether Chomsky's position can be held valid based on the evidence examined to argue the claim. “We can know so much because in some sense we already knew it” (Chomsky, 1976 p.7). . Within this quote lies the basis of Chomsky's theory of an innate predisposition to learn language through his imagination of a mind possessing a priori knowledge. Chomsky (1976) suggests that this innate knowledge is present in the human mind at birth and is unlocked by experience. In essence, Chomsky's thesis is that there is some kind of biological basis evident only in humans that allows for the acquisition of language across different cultures, despite the complexities and differences between them. Christiansen and Chater (2008) support Chomsky's position by noting that children can learn their native language before they are able to perform tasks such as tying their shoelaces or riding a bicycle. Analysis of Chomsky's argument in Christiansen & Chater's (2008) article suggests that there may be an innate universal grammar (UG), meaning that humans are born with the biological ability to obtain... . half of the paper......l, or if it refers to experiential learning. Works Cited Behme, C., & Diacono, S. H. (2008). Language learning in childhood: Does empirical evidence support a domain-specific language acquisition device? Philosophical Psychology, 21:5, 641-671. doi: 10.1080/09515080802412321Chomsky, N. (1976). Reflections on language. Glasgow: Fontana/CollinsChristiansen, M.H., & Chater, N. (2008). Language shaped by the brain. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 31, 489-558. doi: 10.1017/S0140525X08004998Gregorio, RL (ed.). (2004). The Oxford Companion to the Mind. Oxford: Oxford University Press Trevarthen, C. (2002). Giving meaning to children who make sense. Intellectica, 1, 161-188Trevarthen, C., & Malloch, S. (2000). The dance of well-being: defining the music-therapeutic effect. Norsk Tidsskrift for Musikkterapi, 9:2, 3-17. doi: 10.1080/08098130009477996