"Don't Say Gay"

[Benjamin Barrett]

I'm at least equally, but probably more so, puzzled by your e-mail below :)

On Feb 17, 2012, at 4:08 PM, ronbutters at aol.com wrote:

> 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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