"Don't Say Gay"

[Benjamin Barrett]

Here's one site for your reference: http://www2.vobs.at/ludescher/Ludescher/LAcquisition/Nativist/nativist%20theory.htm

I haven't read it. I did just a quick Google search and found it. Hoping it helps with the "black box" concept.

Benjamin Barrett
Seattle, WA

On Feb 17, 2012, at 1:12 PM, Ronald Butters wrote:

> 
> On Feb 17, 2012, at 3:54 PM, Benjamin Barrett wrote:
> 
>> Linguistics is subject to scrutiny just as any natural and social =
> science is.
> 
> Yes, of course.
> 
>> Mathematicians wonder whether math is a human invention or a natural =
> phenomenon, a puzzle that might be solved if we encounter =
> exomathematics. Whether linguists are seeing grammar rules in patterns =
> that are in fact only patterns, or whether grammar rules are something =
> that come out of a syntactic black box is a question that has surely not =
> been resolved yet.
> 
> There is not even a question here, so I have to agree that it has not =
> been "resolved."
> 
> Math is obviously a human invention AND a natural phenomenon (if those =
> two phrases have any meaning whatsoever). If "math" were somehow =
> unnatural, the bridges would fall down. If there were no people around =
> to (e.g.) build bridges, "math" would not exist.=20
> 
> Qualifying the word "pattern" with the word "only" makes no distinction =
> whatever. If no "patterns" were meaningful then we would not be able to =
> learn language and speak to each other. (Well, maybe I am deluded in =
> thinking that even some of us do.)=20
> 
> The phrase "grammar rules are something that come [sic] out of a black =
> box" makes no sense whatever. Where is this "black box"? What are =
> "grammar rules"? What does "come out" mean?=
> 

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