Universal%20grammar%20

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Universal grammar the language facultyDay 4,
Sept. 5, 2012

• Introduction to Syntax
• ANTH 3590/7590
• Harry Howard
• Tulane University

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Course management

• http//www.tulane.edu/howard/ANTH3590/

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1.3 Universal Grammar
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Some ideas

• Cognitive approach
• Tacit/explicit knowledge of language
• Competence/performance
• I-language
• Criteria of adequacy of a theory of UG
• Universality/descriptive adequacy
• Explanatory adequacy
• Parsimony
• Interface between PF semantics
• Learnability

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1.4 The Language Faculty
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Some more ideas

• Theory of language acquisition
• Uniformity
• Rapidity
• Ignore correction
• Faculty of language (FL)
• Experience of L gt FL (LAD) gt grammar of L
• Innateness hypothesis of language acquisition
• Unique to humans
• Doesnt depend on intelligence
• Doesnt vary much
• Uniform rapid
• Critical period

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1.5 Principles of UG
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Even more ideas

• Universal Grammar
• Examples 18-20, pp. 20-21
• Principles of UG
• Locality
• Minimization of how much a child has to learn

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NEXT TIME

• Parameters, summary
• 1.6 - 1.8 Ex 1.1 - 1.2