Chapter 9: Baby Born Talking - Describes Heaven Summary and Analysis

Chapter 9: Baby Born Talking - Describes Heaven

The chapter begins with a tabloid story that states "Baby Born Talking - Describes Heaven" and various incarnations of that story which have appeared over the years. While the story is obviously a sensational piece of fiction, it causes Pinker to wonder why, if babies are born with the language instinct, does it take them almost three years to speak in complete grammatical sentences.

"All infants come into the world with linguistic skills." Chap. 9, p. 263

It is thought that children are also aware of their mother's language and respond accordingly.

Pinker discusses the importance of babbling and how it is present even in deaf children who sign rather than speak.

Pinker asserts that babies are born with the equipment but without an...