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Generativism: Chomsky's Linguistic Concerns
Generativism: Chomsky's Linguistic Concerns
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A plausible assumption today is that the principles of
language are fixed and innate, and that variations is
restricted in the manner indicated. Each language, then, is
(virtually) determined by a choice of values for lexical
parameters: with the array of choices, The conditions of
language acquisition make it plain that the process must be
largely inner-directed, as in other aspects of growth,
which means that all languages must be close to
identical, largely fixed by initial state. (Chomsky 2000.
New Horizons … : 121-2)
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At present little is known on how UG is
embodied in the brain.
UG is considered as a computational
system in the head, but we do not know
about the specific operations of the brain
itself and what leads to the development
of these computational systems.
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A plausible view is that language is a distinct and
specific part of the human mind and not a
manifestation of a more general capacity or ability
(of general intelligence).
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Evidence
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The theory:
innate language knowledge
If children don’t/can’t learn the rules of
grammar from the language around them
in their environment…
… then these rules must have been in-
born
Substantive universals
◦ Things you get in language
◦ e.g. nouns, verbs
This distinction can arise even without input!
Formal universals
◦ How those things work together in sentences
◦ Constraints on the forms of syntactic rules
◦ Structure-dependency principle
Structure Dependency: a reminder
For example:
I can understand Chomsky’s theory.
can I understand Chomsky’s theory?
* theory Chomsky’s understand can I?
Other principles
The XP principles
◦ Govern the internal structure of phrases
◦ e.g. Every XP contains an X
◦ Every NP contains an N… every VP contains
a V… etc.
Many other formal principles are very abstract;
examples:
• Principle of Proper Government
• Empty Category Principle
• Case Assignment Principle
Parameters
Parameters explain variation across languages
A parameter is like a “switch”
It is a setting which can take one of a small
number of values
◦ Yes/No, On/Off, +/-
The setting of the parameter determines one
or more aspects of the grammar
The parameters are set during language
acquisition
The Pro-drop Parameter
Controls whether subject pronouns can be
dropped in the language
◦ I understand Chomsky’s theory
◦ * understand Chomsky’s theory WRONG
◦ je comprends la théorie de Chomsky
◦ * comprends la théorie de Chomsky
WRONG
◦ comprendo la teoría de Chomsky OK
Spanish: [+ Pro-drop]
English and French: [- Pro-drop]
Heads and complements