Evaluating Cartesian Linguistics : From Historical Antecedents to Computational Modeling.
Title:
Evaluating Cartesian Linguistics : From Historical Antecedents to Computational Modeling.
Author:
Behme, Christina.
ISBN:
9783653037104
Personal Author:
Physical Description:
1 online resource (270 pages)
Series:
Potsdam Linguistic Investigations / Potsdamer Linguistische Untersuchungen / Recherches Linguistiques à Potsdam ; v.12
Potsdam Linguistic Investigations / Potsdamer Linguistische Untersuchungen / Recherches Linguistiques à Potsdam
Contents:
Cover -- Acknowledgements -- Table of Contents -- Preface -- Chapter 1: Introduction -- Chapter 2: Cartesian Linguistics -- 2.1 Species Specificity of Language -- 2.2 Domain Specificity of Language -- 2.3 Language Acquisition -- 2.4 Cartesian Ideas -- 2.4.1 General Introduction -- 2.4.2 Innate Ideas -- 2.5 Poverty of the Stimulus Arguments -- 2.6 Impossibility Arguments -- 2.7 Conclusions -- Chapter 3: The Evolution of Chomskyan Linguistics -- 3.1 Introduction -- 3.2 Linguistic Nativism/Rationalism -- 3.2.1 Situating Chomsky's Nativism/Rationalism -- 3.2.2 The Problem of Innateness -- 3.3 Innateness and Linguistic Nativism -- 3.4 Chomskyan Linguistics - a Brief History -- 3.4.1 Chomskyan Linguistics as Natural Science -- 3.4.2 The Galilean Style -- 3.4.3 Critique of the Chomskyan Science -- 3.4.4 From Standard Theory to Minimalism -- 3.5 Chomsky's Arguments for Innateness of Language -- 3.5.1 The Poverty of Stimulus Argument -- 3.5.2 Chomsky's LAD -- 3.6 Conclusions -- Chapter 4: Language Acquisition -- 4.1 Introduction -- 4.2 Arguments for the Innateness of Language -- 4.3 Empirical evidence Gathered During Language Acquisition -- 4.3.1 Language Acquisition During Early Infancy -- 4.3.2 Emerging Language Production in Young Children -- 4.4 Statistical Information: From Sounds to Syntax -- 4.4.1 Sound Patterns and Semantics -- 4.4.2 Statistics and Syntax -- 4.5 The Problem of Negative Evidence -- 4.5.1 The Importance of Negative Evidence for Language Learning -- 4.5.2 Nativism and Negative Evidence -- 4.5.3 Negative Evidence Assists Language Acquisition -- 4.5.4 Is Negative Evidence Necessary for Language Acquisition? -- 4.6 Conclusions -- Chapter 5: Computational Modeling of Language Acquisition -- 5.1 Introduction -- 5.2 Connectionist Networks -- 5.3 Case Studies -- 5.3.1 Elman's Early Connectionist Models.
5.3.2 Relevance of Connectionist Simulations for the Nativist Debate -- 5.3.3 Other Computational Models of Language-Acquisition -- 5.3.3.1 Models of Speech Segmentation -- 5.3.3.2 Multiple Cue Integration Models -- 5.3.3.3 Modeling of Complex Aspects of Syntax and Semantics -- 5.3.4 Recursion -- 5.4 Conclusions -- Chapter 6: Conclusions -- 6.1 The Cartesian Tradition -- 6.2 Chomskyan Progress -- 6.3 Empiricist Views of Language Acquisition -- 6.4 Computational Modeling of Language Acquisition -- 6.5 Model Selection and Limitations of Simulation -- References.
Abstract:
This book evaluates Noam Chomsky's contributions to linguistics and focuses on the historical justification for Cartesian Linguistics, the evolution of Chomsky's theorizing, empirical language acquisition work, and computational modeling of language learning. Chomsky claims that his view is situated within a rationalist Cartesian tradition and that only rationalists can account for all aspects of language. The work challenges both claims. Chomsky projects his own convictions onto Cartesians and his recent work has not lived up to early promises. The Minimalist Program has failed to produce scientific results, and empirical work in developmental psychology and computational modeling further challenge Chomsky's rationalist dogma.
Local Note:
Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, Michigan : ProQuest Ebook Central, 2017. Available via World Wide Web. Access may be limited to ProQuest Ebook Central affiliated libraries.
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