What key concept signifies that language development is influenced by innate biological abilities?

The key concept that indicates language development is influenced by innate biological abilities is language universals. This term refers to the idea that there are inherent features shared among all human languages, suggesting that humans are born with a predisposition to acquire language. The theory posits that despite the wide variety of languages in different cultures, certain grammatical structures and linguistic traits are common across all languages, signifying that these abilities are biologically rooted.

This concept aligns with Noam Chomsky's theory of Universal Grammar, which posits that all human beings are born with an innate capacity for language. This innate mechanism enables them to learn language naturally as they grow, pointing to the biological importance in language development. Understanding language universals helps explain why children can rapidly acquire complex language skills with relatively little formal instruction, as their brains are equipped from birth with the tools necessary for language acquisition.

In contrast, cognitive structure, learning theory, and social interaction emphasize different aspects of how language is used or learned. Cognitive structure pertains to the mental processes that underpin knowledge and understanding, learning theory focuses on how language is acquired through reinforcement and practice, and social interaction underscores the role of social communication in language development. However, none of these concepts directly address the innate biological aspects in the same