Theory Of Generative Grammar Research Articles

Strong Generative Capacity and the Empirical Base of Linguistic Theory.

This Perspective traces the evolution of certain central notions in the theory of Generative Grammar (GG). The founding documents of the field suggested a relation between the grammar, construed as recursively enumerating an infinite set of sentences, and the idealized native speaker that was essentially equivalent to the relation between a formal language (a set of well-formed formulas) and an automaton that recognizes strings as belonging to the language or not. But this early view was later abandoned, when the focus of the field shifted to the grammar's strong generative capacity as recursive generation of hierarchically structured objects as opposed to strings. The grammar is now no longer seen as specifying a set of well-formed expressions and in fact necessarily constructs expressions of any degree of intuitive “acceptability.” The field of GG, however, has not sufficiently acknowledged the significance of this shift in perspective, as evidenced by the fact that (informal and experimentally-controlled) observations about string acceptability continue to be treated as bona fide data and generalizations for the theory of GG. The focus on strong generative capacity, it is argued, requires a new discussion of what constitutes valid empirical evidence for GG beyond observations pertaining to weak generation.

Categorias institucionais das políticas de saúde no Brasil (1990-2017)

Propósito: Identificar as categorias essenciais à forma institucional prevalentes das políticas públicas setoriais de saúde instituídas pelo Ministério da Saúde no período de 1990 a 2017. Método: Partindo-se do arcabouço teórico da Teoria Gramatical Generativa de Chomsky, e da Hermenêutica Prescritiva de Schleiermacher, Dilthey e Betti como pressupostos, e a Teoria Neo-Institucional, como ancoragem teórica, foram identificados, no banco de dados de informação legislativa do Ministério da Saúde (Saúde Legis), o conjunto de normas infralegais que instituíram políticas setoriais de saúde no período de 20 de setembro de 1990 a 30 de março de 2017. A análise dos documentos de política respectivos permitiu a identificação de categorias essenciais à forma institucional das políticas setoriais de saúde. Resultados: Analisou-se uma amostra de 58 documentos de política. Do ponto de vista do objeto, as políticas que compuseram a amostra estavam voltadas para a organização da atenção (51,7%), a saúde pública (39,7%) e a organização e gestão do sistema de saúde (8,6%). Das políticas estudadas, 86,2% tinham norma instituidora. Os conceitos integrantes da forma institucional das políticas setoriais de saúde mais prevalentemente encontrados foram: objeto, objetivo ou propósito, território e diretrizes. Essas quatro categorias institucionais estão presentes em mais de 60% dos documentos de política. Prioridades, controle social (mecanismos, forma, relevância), financiamento e avaliação constituem categorias institucionais de menos de 30% das políticas analisadas. Os padrões de categorias institucionais variam segundo a natureza do objeto da política. Conclusões: Apenas um conjunto pequeno de categorias institucionais – objeto, objetivo ou propósito, território e diretrizes – é encontrado sistematicamente nos documentos de política.

A Categorical-Generative Theory of Social Processes: Towards the Ontological and Mathematical Foundations of a Grammar-based Model for Qualitative Research

This paper proposes a mathematical model to describe the dynamics of flows of events that evolve, conditioned by a specific set of structures and contextual conditions, such as complex, dynamic, and contingent social phenomena. A discrete rule-based model for patterns of sequences of events deduced from Generative Grammar Theory and Category Theory depicts theoretical propositions and identifies causal relationships in empirical evidence. Regarding the ontological and epistemological assumptions of Critical Realism, the proposed modeling methodology adopts the logic of retroduction instead of the logic of falsification as a knowledge-extending means of drawing explanatory inferences from data in a systematic way.

On College English Teaching in China from the Perspective of MP in Generative Grammar Theory

This paper discusses how the theory of MP in generative grammar can be used in College English teaching in China. The author holds that a brand-new teaching paradigm- autonomous English learning-will be built if certain theories and principles of Minimalist Program (MP) are used in China’s college classroom teaching. College teachers of English apply theories of lexicon, derivation by phase under the framework of MP in generative grammar and organization strategies into their English teaching and learning appropriately and college students will renew their English learning ideas, their learning interest will be stimulated and their enthusiasm and initiative in active English learning will be enhanced.

A Categorical-Generative Theory of Social Processes

This paper proposes a mathematical model and a social research methodology to describe the dynamics of flows of action events that evolve conditioned by a specific set of structures and contextual conditions such as complex, dynamic and contingent social phenomena. Thus, a discrete rule-based model for patterns of sequences of action events deduced from Generative Grammar Theory and Category Theory depicts prior theoretical propositions and identifies causal relationships in empirical evidence. Regarding the ontological and the epistemological assumptions of Critical Realism, three classes of data analysis procedures build up this social process model. First, a deductive method of Classification Analysis creates the classifiers for each type of event, including the surprising fact and its hypothesized contextual conditions. Second, an inductive method of Configuration Analysis identifies the combinatorial patterns of contextual conditions related to each alternative event outcome in the system states. Lastly, an abductive method of Sequence Analysis reconciles unanticipated divergences between the structured empirical evidence and the rule-like theoretical propositions, with the objective of suggesting modifications to the starting grammar model by means of the best explanation for the surprising fact.

Phonological Deletion in Text Massages: A Cognitive View

The aim of the present study is to represent the evidence of various correspondences between phonology and cognitive linguistics and to show the advantages of cognitive grammar than generative grammar. The article evaluates the hypothesis holding that connectionist theories (e.g. cognitive grammar) don’t have any directionality in their formulations due to their cross-dimensional correspondences and this can be their exclusive feature. This research can be considered as a theoretical and descriptive study. The samples were chosen from among English abbreviations, specifically short messages. In prominence view, arranging data is determinant in ordering things and events in the mind. This point of view is based on “figure and ground” that can be used in phonology as well. The rich- get richer and the poor- get poorer’ is catchphrases frequently used in economy and I use them in my paper. We can use the proverbs as principles in phonological deletion. The results also refer to the principle, according to which vowels are expected to undergo reduction in unstressed positions. Corroborating the “bathtub effect” (a principle in psychology) in consonants deletions was another emerged result. After assessing the samples, the hypothesis was approved and it was shown that having a cognitive approach to various linguistic modules causes some exclusive and attractive features which the generative grammar theories don’t have them. Also, it was revealed that a cognitive principle affects the pattern of deletions in text messages.

Human-inspired semantic similarity between sentences

Abstract Following the Principle of Compositionality, the meaning of a complex expression is influenced, to some extent, not only by the meanings of its individual words, but also the structural way the words are assembled. Compositionality has been a central research issue for linguists and psycholinguists. However, it remains unclear how does syntax influence the meaning of a sentence. In this paper, we propose an interdisciplinary approach to better understand that relation. We present an empirical study that seeks for the different weights given by humans to different syntactic roles when computing semantic similarity. In order to test the validity of the hypotheses derived from the psychological study, we use a computational paradigm. We incorporate the results of that study to a psychologically plausible computational measure of semantic similarity. The results shown by this measure in terms of correlation with human judgments on a paraphrase recognition task confirm the different importance that humans give to different syntactic roles in the computation of semantic similarity. This results contrast with generative grammar theories but support neurolinguistic evidence.

Grammar and culture in the work of Yamuna Kachru

ABSTRACTThis paper examines Professor Yamuna Kachru's construction of grammar in the context of work that adopted a number of different approaches to linguistics, each with its proper data, methodology, and theoretical concerns. These approaches are the standard theory of generative grammar, relational grammar, and grammar from the perspectives of discourse analysis, sociolinguistics, and systemic functional (Hallidayan) linguistics. Throughout her research and publications on grammar and culture, Professor Kachru's work challenges and extends traditional linguistics in a creative and innovative fashion, providing a unique contribution to our understanding of Hindi and English, and to that of grammar and of culture.

Constituency Where? A Note on Substitution

This paper examines the relation between substitution and constituency in some Korean constructions and provides an account that is well in line with the current theory of generative grammar. It is well-known that constituency is a key factor in substitution phenomena. But this paper presents several sets of examples that superficially go against this prevalent view. These examples allow substitution by a pro-form although the target sequence of the substitution doesn’t seem to form a single constituent. It will be shown that despite the seeming non-constituency of the target sequences, in fact, they do form a constituent in covert syntax, thus rendering the original view of ‘substitution under constituency’ maintainable.

A Syntactic Analysis of Lexical and Functional Heads in Nigerian English Newspaper Headlines

Nigerian English newspaper headlines have been examined mostly from stylistic, pragmatic, critical discourse analytic and critical linguistic perspective but not from a syntactic perspective in terms of lexical and functional heads. This study, therefore, examines lexical and functional heads in Nigerian newspaper headlines. The data for this study were collected from Nigerian national newspapers including ‘The Punch’, ‘The Nation’, ‘Nigerian Tribune’, ‘Vanguard’ and ‘The Sun’. The study uses the X-bar theory of Generative Grammar to syntactically analyze the data. It is discovered that both lexical and functional heads are projected in Nigerian newspaper headlines. However, their representation depends on the syntactic configuration of the headlines. Sentence type headlines have more heads than phrasal headlines. While both heads occur in the headlines, lexical heads have more projection than functional heads.

About a Role and Value of Nonverbal Communication in Psycholinguistics

Since the late 1970s, the problems of psycholinguistics were influenced by the state of affairs in linguistics and related sciences. This is primarily a complex of sciences about the nature and dynamics of cognitive processes. For most American and English-speaking psycholinguists N. Chomsky’s theory of generative grammar as a reference to the language science is the most influential. They try to verify the extent of psychological hypotheses based on Chomsky's theory corresponding to the observed behavior. From this perspective, some authors consider the child's speech, the other-the role of language in social interactions, and others-the relationship of language and cognitive processes. The aim of our study is to determine and describe the characteristic and distinguishing features of non-verbal communication of Turkic culture and compare the data and if possible give them an interpretation.

書評・紹介 N. Chomsky著 Topics in the Theory of Generative Grammar

書評・紹介 N. Chomsky著 Topics in the Theory of Generative Grammar

On How to Make Use of Generative Grammar Theory in English Classroom Teaching

On How to Make Use of Generative Grammar Theory in English Classroom Teaching

Phonological Deletion in Text Massages: A Cognitive View

The aim of the present study is to represent the evidence of various correspondences between phonology and cognitive linguistics and to show the advantages of cognitive grammar than generative grammar. The article evaluates the hypothesis holding that connectionist theories (e.g. cognitive grammar) don’t have any directionality in their formulations due to their cross-dimensional correspondences and this can be their exclusive feature. This research can be considered as a theoretical and descriptive study. The samples were chosen from among English abbreviations, specifically short messages. In prominence view, arranging data is determinant in ordering things and events in the mind. This point of view is based on “figure and ground” that can be used in phonology as well. The rich- get richer and the poor- get poorer’ is catchphrases frequently used in economy and I use them in my paper. We can use the proverbs as principles in phonological deletion. The results also refer to the principle, according to which vowels are expected to undergo reduction in unstressed positions. Corroborating the “bathtub effect”(a principle in psychology) in consonants deletions was another emerged result. After assessing the samples, the hypothesis was approved and it was shown that having a cognitive approach to various linguistic modules causes some exclusive and attractive features which the generative grammar theories don’t have them. Also, it was revealed that a cognitive principle affects the pattern of deletions in text messages.

The Relationship between Competence and Performance: Towards a Comprehensive TG Grammar

Chomsky’s Syntactic Structures (1957) has proved to be a turning point in the twentieth century’s linguistics. He proposes his linguistic theory of generative grammar, which departed radically from the structuralism and behaviourism of the previous decades. Earlier analyses of sentences have been shown to be inadequate in more than one respect because they failed to take into account the differences between ‘surface’ and ‘deep’ levels of grammatical structure.A major aim of generative grammar was to provide a means of analysing sentences that take account of this underlying level of structure. To achieve this aim, Chomsky drew a fundamental distinction (similar to Saussure’s langue and parole) between a person’s knowledge of the rules of a language and the actual use of that language in real situations. The first he referred to as competence; the second as performance. Linguistics, he argued, should be concerned with the study of competence, and not restrict itself to performance.

Imaginary mistakes versus real problems in generative grammar

Jackendoff claims that current theories of generative grammar commit a “scientific mistake” by assuming that syntax is the sole source of linguistic organization (“syntactocentrism”). The claim is false, and furthermore, Jackendoff's solution to the alleged problem, the parallel architecture, creates a real problem that exists in no other theory of generative grammar.

Précis of Foundations of language: brain, meaning, grammar, evolution.

The goal of this study is to reintegrate the theory of generative grammar into the cognitive sciences. Generative grammar was right to focus on the child's acquisition of language as its central problem, leading to the hypothesis of an innate Universal Grammar. However, generative grammar was mistaken in assuming that the syntactic component is the sole course of combinatoriality, and that everything else is "interpretive." The proper approach is a parallel architecture, in which phonology, syntax, and semantics are autonomous generative systems linked by interface components. The parallel architecture leads to an integration within linguistics, and to a far better integration with the rest of cognitive neuroscience. It fits naturally into the larger architecture of the mind/brain and permits a properly mentalistic theory of semantics. It results in a view of linguistic performance in which the rules of grammar are directly involved in processing. Finally, it leads to a natural account of the incremental evolution of the language capacity.

Perfectly Competent to Perform? Re-examining the Metatheoretical Basis of Generative Grammar

Behind every theory lies a metatheory, a set of assumptions about the nature of the objects under study, forming a framework within which the theory must operate, and hence largely determining the major focuses of that theory. Here I want to re-examine some of the assumptions that bear most directly on the nature of the object, language, that the theory of generative grammar is meant to explain. Obviously, prior assumptions about the nature of any object of study are unavoidable and not in themselves undesirable. It is impossible to address any topic unless one has at least preliminary notions of what one is dealing with. However, such assumptions can easily form an opaque box, forcing examination of the topic from a particular perspective, and prohibiting examination from any other perspective. The assumptions I shall examine here include the competence-performance distinction, the distinction between E-language and I-language, and the notion that language is (almost) perfect.

A Teoria Gerativa nos estudos de aquisição do português brasileiro

The aim of this paper is to present some of the studies on theacquisition of Brazilian Portuguese as a first language, which havebeen published in the last few years in our country, making use ofthe generative grammar theory in their analysis of the child´s speechdata. The topics that have been analysed are the systems: D, IP, CP,and complementation/adjunction in complex sentences. Additionalresearch on the acquisition of Brazilian Portuguese as a secondlanguage is also shown. The studies briefly discussed here cancontribute to prove the relevance of the generative theory in thedevelopment of the Language Acquisition area.

The abandonment of extrinsic rule ordering in generative grammar

Summary Extrinsic rule ordering was a device used within the Standard Theory of Generative Grammar which determined the correct order for transformations to apply. During the 1970s some linguists, led by Andreas Koutsoudas, showed how this device could be eliminated. However, the great importance of their work has never been recognised. The paper offers a recent example of such a lack of acknowledgement. Furthermore, it is argued why an accurate account of the abandonment of extrinsic rule ordering matters: it represents the first systematic achievement in constraining the strong expressive power of transformations.