Language, Syntax, and the Natural Sciences
Language, Syntax, and the Natural Sciences
Ángel J. Gallego, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Roger Martin, Yokohama National University, Japan
Roger Martin, Yokohama National University, Japan
February 2020
Available
Paperback
9781316606711
Language, apart from its cultural and social dimension, has a scientific side that is connected not only to the study of 'grammar' in a more or less traditional sense, but also to disciplines like mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology. This book explores developments in linguistic theory, looking in particular at the theory of generative grammar from the perspective of the natural sciences. It highlights the complex and dynamic nature of language, suggesting that a comprehensive and full understanding of such a species-specific property will only be achieved through interdisciplinary work.
- Presents an up-to-date sketch of some of the most important results concerning the theoretical study of human language syntax
- Complements social and cultural-based approaches to language, proving a solid understanding of its scientific underpinnings
- Discusses multiple scientific disciplines and their connection to language, including neurology, physics, cybernetics, physics and mathematics
- Features essays from outstanding specialists in the field, including the highly influential linguist Noam Chomsky
Product details
February 2020Paperback
9781316606711
380 pages
230 × 153 × 20 mm
0.6kg
Available
Table of Contents
- Introduction Ángel J. Gallego and Roger Martin
- Part I. The Computational Component:
- 1. Deriving multiple 'object' constructions Tonia Bleam and Norbert Hornstein
- 2. Verbal complex formation and overt subjects in infinitival complexes in Romance Francisco Ordóñez
- 3. Two families of questions Howard Lasnik
- 4. Context sensitive aspects of constituent negation Ricardo Etxepare and Myriam Uribe-Etxebarria
- 5. Phasehood and Romance adverbial because-clauses Esther Torrego
- 6. No-choice parameters, phi-features and the structure of DP Ian Roberts
- Part II. Interfaces:
- 7. Linearizing chains at LF Jairo Nunes
- 8. On the rationality of grammar Wolfram Hinzen
- 9. The warped forge Pablo Bustos and Juan Romero
- 10. Limiting semantic types Paul Pietroski
- 11. Why is phonology different? No recursion William Idsardi
- 12. Nothing in linguistics makes sense except in the light of change David Lightfoot
- 13. Neurology and experience: the language organ and externalization Carlos P. Otero
- Part III. Linguistics and Other Sciences:
- 14. My head's in knots: on Uriagereka's generalization and the knot-sentence connection Sergio Balari, Antonio Benítez-Burraco, Marta Camps, Víctor M. Longa and Guillermo Lorenzo
- 15. (Neural) syntax Cedric Boeckx and Constantina Theofanopoulou
- 16. Syntax and uncertainty Douglas Saddy
- 17. The Golden phrase: steps to the physics of language Massimo Piattelli-Palmarini and David Medeiros
- 18. Science, mind, and limits of understanding Noam Chomsky.
