Difference between revisions of "Linguistics"
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[[Noam Chomsky]] defined the central purpose of modern linguistics is to address the question: What is a possible human grammar? This is done by studying typologically diverse languages in order to arrive at principles common to all languages. These common principles are hypothesized to be innate in human beings as a matter of biological endowment. It is generally accepted in the field that the innateness of grammatical principles accounts for why a child acquires language exceptionally rapidly in the face of insufficient stimuli or reinforcement from his or her community. | [[Noam Chomsky]] defined the central purpose of modern linguistics is to address the question: What is a possible human grammar? This is done by studying typologically diverse languages in order to arrive at principles common to all languages. These common principles are hypothesized to be innate in human beings as a matter of biological endowment. It is generally accepted in the field that the innateness of grammatical principles accounts for why a child acquires language exceptionally rapidly in the face of insufficient stimuli or reinforcement from his or her community. | ||
| − | It should be noted that Chomsky's ideological leanings make his sciencetific authenticity questionable. As a great deal of modern linguistics comes from Chomsky's theories, and because most linguists lean to the [[left]] politically, their is serious doubt as to validity of many modern linguistic practices and theories among many scholars. | + | It should be noted that Chomsky's ideological leanings make his sciencetific authenticity questionable. As a great deal of modern linguistics comes from Chomsky's theories, and because most linguists lean to the [[left]] politically, their is serious doubt as to validity of many modern linguistic practices and theories among many scholars.<ref> |
[[Category:linguistics]] | [[Category:linguistics]] | ||
Revision as of 06:11, February 4, 2009
Linguistics is the scientific study of language.
Noam Chomsky defined the central purpose of modern linguistics is to address the question: What is a possible human grammar? This is done by studying typologically diverse languages in order to arrive at principles common to all languages. These common principles are hypothesized to be innate in human beings as a matter of biological endowment. It is generally accepted in the field that the innateness of grammatical principles accounts for why a child acquires language exceptionally rapidly in the face of insufficient stimuli or reinforcement from his or her community. It should be noted that Chomsky's ideological leanings make his sciencetific authenticity questionable. As a great deal of modern linguistics comes from Chomsky's theories, and because most linguists lean to the left politically, their is serious doubt as to validity of many modern linguistic practices and theories among many scholars.<ref>