"Don't Say Gay"

[Ron butters]

I know how Chomsky (and Science in general) construe "black box." It seems to have little relationship, however, to how BB was using it.

Sent from my iPad

On Feb 17, 2012, at 4:34 PM, Benjamin Barrett <gogaku at IX.NETCOM.COM> wrote:

> 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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The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org