Which theory proposes that humans have an innate capacity for language?

Noam Chomsky's theory posits that humans possess an inherent capacity for language, rooted in the concept of a universal grammar. This theory suggests that regardless of the diverse languages spoken across cultures, there are underlying grammatical principles shared by all human languages. Chomsky introduced the idea of a "language acquisition device," which refers to the innate ability that allows individuals, particularly children, to learn language rapidly and naturally. This perspective emphasizes that language learning is not solely a function of environmental factors but is significantly influenced by biological predispositions.

Cultural relativism, on the other hand, focuses on understanding cultures on their own terms without imposing external judgments, and does not specifically address the innate aspects of language. Ethnographic fieldwork is a qualitative research method employed to gather firsthand accounts of cultural practices, which also does not specifically relate to the natural capacity for language. Functionalism examines cultural practices and institutions in terms of the roles they play within a society, but it does not delve into innate capacities or the biological underpinnings of language.