Review of Peeters (2006): Semantic Primes and Universal Grammar: Empirical evidence from the Romance languages

2008 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 447-456
Author(s):  
Keith Allan
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Universal Grammar ◽  
Romance Languages

scholarly journals Acquiring markedness constraints

2013 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. 188-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeroen van de Weijer ◽  
Marjoleine Sloos
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Optimality Theory ◽  
Language Use ◽  
Universal Grammar ◽  
Language Data ◽  
Ambient Data ◽  
Made In

This paper questions the assumption made in classic Optimality Theory (Prince & Smolensky 1993 [2004]) that markedness constraints are an innate part of Universal Grammar. Instead, we argue that constraints are acquired on the basis of the language data to which L1 learning children are exposed. This is argued both on general grounds (innateness is an assumption that should not be invoked lightly) and on the basis of empirical evidence. We investigate this issue for six general markedness constraints in French, and show that all constraints could be acquired on the basis of the ambient data. Second, we show that the order of acquisition of the marked structures matches the frequency of violations of the relevant constraints in the input quite well. This argues in favour of a phonological model in which constraints are acquired, not innate, i.e. a model in which grammatical notions such as constraints are derived from language use.

Syntactic Cartography

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ur Shlonsky ◽  
Giuliano Bocci
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Universal Grammar ◽  
Research Direction ◽  
Functional Structure ◽  
Central Theme ◽  
Functional Elements ◽  
Comparative Syntax ◽  
Functional Hierarchy ◽  
Shed Light

Syntactic cartography emerged in the 1990s as a result of the growing consensus in the field about the central role played by functional elements and by morphosyntactic features in syntax. The declared aim of this research direction is to draw maps of the structures of syntactic constituents, characterize their functional structure, and study the array and hierarchy of syntactically relevant features. Syntactic cartography has made significant empirical discoveries, and its methodology has been very influential in research in comparative syntax and morphosyntax. A central theme in current cartographic research concerns the source of the emerging featural/structural hierarchies. The idea that the functional hierarchy is not a primitive of Universal Grammar but derives from other principles does not undermine the scientific relevance of the study of the cartographic structures. On the contrary, the cartographic research aims at providing empirical evidence that may help answer these questions about the source of the hierarchy and shed light on how the computational principles and requirements of the interface with sound and meaning interact.

A refutation of “a refutation of universal grammar”(Lin, f. 2017. Lingua 193. 1–22.)

2020 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 169-205
Author(s):  
Tong Wu
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Universal Grammar ◽  
Careful Consideration ◽  
Theoretical Construct ◽  
Fourth Section ◽  
The Third ◽  
Fundamental Misunderstanding ◽  
Point To Point

AbstractLin (2017), according to the author, “offers a refutation of Chomsky’s Universal Grammar (UG) from a novel perspective”. Unfortunately, “novel” does not mean logical or valid. On the contrary, as I will show in this refutation of Lin’s refutation, there is a profound and fundamental misunderstanding in Lin’s interpretation of UG. His refutation only proves his superficial understanding of the questions raised and discussed, which nevertheless are worth discussing and explaining. I take each of Lin’s arguments in turn and attempt to show why they are not well founded, either because of flaws in his argumentation or because of a careful consideration of the available empirical evidence. In the first section I show that Lin’s refutation of UG is illogical in that he confuses UG as a theoretical construct and as a reality entity, which renders his own analysis self-contradictory. The second section aims to examine in detail the so-called novelty of Lin’s refutation, proving that his refutation is unscientific. The third section offers a point-to-point refutation of his arguments presented in the third section of his paper. The fourth section furthermore points out several misunderstandings of previous studies against Chomsky and UG. The last section concludes the paper.

scholarly journals The Place of Universal Grammar in the Study of Language and Mind: A Response to Dabrowska (2015)

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oliver Boxell
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Cognitive Linguistics ◽  
Universal Grammar ◽  
Careful Consideration ◽  
Current Paper ◽  
Language Faculty ◽  
Cognitive Capacities ◽  
Generative Linguistics ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Human Ability

AbstractGenerative Linguistics proposes that the human ability to produce and comprehend language is fundamentally underwritten by a uniquely linguistic innate system called Universal Grammar (UG). In her recent paper What is Universal Grammar, and has anyone seen it? Ewa Dabrowska reviews a range of evidence and argues against the idea of UG from a Cognitive Linguistics perspective. In the current paper, I take each of Dabrowska’s arguments in turn and attempt to show why they are not well founded, either because of flaws in her argumentation or because of a careful consideration of the available empirical evidence. I also attempt to demonstrate how evidence from the fields Dabrowska reviews actually supports the notion of UG. However, arguments are additionally presented in favor of integrating an understanding of domain-specific UG with an understanding of domain-general cognitive capacities in order to understand the language faculty completely.

scholarly journals Reductio ad discrimen: Where features come from

Nordlyd ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Cowper ◽  
Daniel Currie Hall
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Universal Grammar ◽  
Expressive Power ◽  
Linguistic Variation ◽  
Central Function ◽  
Linguistic Structure ◽  
Linguistic Representations ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
Formal Features

<p>This paper addresses two fundamental questions about the nature of formal features in phonology and morphosyntax: what is their expressive power, and where do they come from? To answer these questions, we begin with the most restrictive possible hypothesis (all features are privative, and are wholly dictated by Universal Grammar, with no room for cross-linguistic variation), and examine the extent to which empirical evidence from a variety of languages compels a retreat from this position. We argue that there is little to be gained by positing a universal set of specific features, and propose instead that the crucial contribution of UG is the language learner's ability to construct features by identifying correlations between contrasts at different levels of linguistic structure. This view resonates with current research on how the interaction between UG and external 'third factors' shapes the structure of language, while at the same time harking back to the Saussurean notion that contrast is the central function of linguistic representations.</p>

Transfer of L1 Parameter Settings: Some Empirical Evidence from Polish Metrics

1992 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Archibald
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Second Language Learners ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Universal Grammar ◽  
First Language ◽  
Language Learner ◽  
Parameter Setting ◽  
Second Language Learner

This paper describes an empirical investigation as to the utility of a principles and parameters model of grammar in describing the interlanguage grammars of second language learners. I argue that the framework of parameterized universal grammar is useful in accounting for second language learner knowledge and behaviour. The vast majority of their errors can be accounted for by the transfer of their first language (L1) parameter setting into the second language (L2).

Syntax Acquisition

2013 ◽  
pp. 925-952
Author(s):  
Jill de Villiers ◽  
Peter de Villiers
Keyword(s):  
Natural Selection ◽  
Cognitive Development ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Universal Grammar ◽  
Inflectional Morphology ◽  
Complex Sentences ◽  
Key Points ◽  
Syntax Acquisition ◽  
Movement Rules

The fundamental questions to be asked about syntax acquisition concern whether the child’s knowledge is abstract and principled in nature, or piecemeal and highly input- and frequency-dependent. Generative linguists following Chomsky argue that universal grammar dictates development from the start, and propose that grammar development is limited by twin considerations of modularity and continuity. A brief review is provided of the arguments and empirical evidence about these matters at various key points in the course of development: the first two-word sentences, the acquisition of inflectional morphology, movement rules, and complex sentences. The role of developing syntax in cognitive development is highlighted to uncover what advantages grammar might convey. Models of learning are introduced, comparing the concepts that learning is statistical versus algebraic, and connectionist models to the ideas of natural selection among multiple grammars.

Challenges to the social motivation theory of autism: The dangers of counteracting an imprecise theory with even more imprecision

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirko Uljarević ◽  
Giacomo Vivanti ◽  
Susan R. Leekam ◽  
Antonio Y. Hardan
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Social Motivation ◽  
Motivation Theory ◽  
The Social

Abstract The arguments offered by Jaswal & Akhtar to counter the social motivation theory (SMT) do not appear to be directly related to the SMT tenets and predictions, seem to not be empirically testable, and are inconsistent with empirical evidence. To evaluate the merits and shortcomings of the SMT and identify scientifically testable alternatives, advances are needed on the conceptualization and operationalization of social motivation across diagnostic boundaries.

Integrating perspectives: How the development of second-personal competence lays the foundation for a second-personal morality

2020 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Corbit ◽  
Chris Moore
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Developmental Process ◽  
Focal Point ◽  
Personal Information ◽  
Personal Competence ◽  
Triadic Interactions ◽  
Personal Morality ◽  
Integrative Process

Abstract The integration of first-, second-, and third-personal information within joint intentional collaboration provides the foundation for broad-based second-personal morality. We offer two additions to this framework: a description of the developmental process through which second-personal competence emerges from early triadic interactions, and empirical evidence that collaboration with a concrete goal may provide an essential focal point for this integrative process.

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