A major proponent of the idea that language depends largely on environment was the behaviorist BF Skinner. He believed that language is acquired through principles of conditioning, including association, imitation, and reinforcement.
According to this view, children learn words by associating sounds with objects, actions, and events. They also learn words and syntax by imitating others. Adults enable children to learn words and syntax by reinforcing correct speech. For example, correct utterances are positively reinforced when the child realizes the communicative value of words like when a child says 'milk' they will be rewarded when the mother gives it to the child. This enhances the child's language development.
BF Skinner was an American psychologist, behaviorist, author, inventor and social philosopher. He invented the operant conditioning chamber describing how human behaviour is a result of previous consequences.
Some of his quotes:
-A failure is not always a mistake, it may simply be the best one can do under the circumstances. The real mistake is to stop trying.
-I did not direct my life. I didn't design it. I never made decisions. Things always came up and made them for me. That's what life is.
-Give me a child and I'll shape him into anything.
-Society attacks early, when the individual is helpless.
-Education is what survives when what has been learned has been forgotten.
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