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What do all languages have in common? - Cameron Morin

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14,528 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

Language is endlessly variable. Each of us can come up with an infinite number of sentences in our native language, and we’re able to do so from an early age— almost as soon as we start to communicate in sentences. How is this possible? In the early 1950s, Noam Chomsky proposed a theory that the key to this versatility was grammar. Cameron Morin details Chomsky's theory of universal grammar.

What scientific paradigm prevailed before Chomsky’s theory emerged?

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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Cameron Morin
  • Director Eoin Duffy
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
  • Music Sono Sanctus
  • Sound Designer Sono Sanctus
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
  • Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Editorial Producer Elizabeth Cox
  • Fact-Checker Paul Durbin

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