Which of the following ideas is in contradiction to the theory proposed by the linguist Noam Chomsky?

Option 2 : Children learn languages through imitation and reinforcement.

Noam Chomsky, known as the father of modern linguistics, has made a crucial contribution in the field of linguistics. He has proposed 'language acquisition theory' that is primarily related to language development.

• It mainly emphasizes that 'children have an innate universal grammar' which helps them in acquiring and understanding grammar regardless of where or how they are raised.

Concepts related to the theory proposed by the linguist Noam Chomsky:

• Humans have an innate capacity to acquire languages: This theory emphasizes that children are born with an innate capacity for learning human language. Humans are destined to speak. Children discover the grammar of their language based on their own inborn grammar. 
• All the languages share certain common structures and features: Deep structure refers to a universal grammar underlying all languages and corresponding to an innate capacity of the brain. It serves as the basis for all languages, despite the existing differences between them.
• There is a critical period for language learning to happen: There is evidence for a critical period for language acquisition. Children who have not acquired language by the age of about seven will never entirely catch up. 

Hint

• B.F Skinner believed that children learn language through operant conditioning. Language is learned through imitation and reinforcement.
• Children receive “rewards” for using language in a functional manner. Skinner also tells that children learn language through copying adults and prompting.

Hence, it is clear that the 'children learn languages through imitation and reinforcement', statement is in contradiction to the theory proposed by the linguist Noam Chomsky.