17.2277, Disc: Modern Syntactic Theory; Designing Mass Ling Study Program

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LINGUIST List: Vol-17-2277. Wed Aug 09 2006. ISSN: 1068 - 4875.

Subject: 17.2277, Disc: Modern Syntactic Theory; Designing Mass Ling Study Program

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1)
Date: 09-Aug-2006
From: Daniel Everett < dlevere at ilstu.edu >
Subject: Major Discoveries of Modern Syntactic Theory 

2)
Date: 03-Aug-2006
From: Daniel Brockert < rainforestguy1 at excite.com >
Subject: Designing Mass Linguistic Study Program 

	
-------------------------Message 1 ---------------------------------- 
Date: Wed, 09 Aug 2006 17:18:08
From: Daniel Everett < dlevere at ilstu.edu >
Subject: Major Discoveries of Modern Syntactic Theory 
 


Since the late 19th century, the study of human syntax has been of enormous
interest to a large number of researchers in North America and the rest of
the world. We might refer to this period as the period of modern
linguistics, beginning with one of the University of Leipzig's most famous
graduates (the most famous may be Nietzsche), Ferdinand de Saussure. In all
of this time, through the various phases of its development, an
ever-growing body of literature has been emerging on human syntax. 

I wonder what we have learned in all of these studies? Especially, I wonder
what we have learned about syntax (from so-called theoretical syntax) of
any generality since 1957, just to take a year at random? I can think of
the following things that have stood the test of time:

1. Islands - Ross 1967.

2. Grammatical constructions (which I trace back to Ross's early 70s paper
on 'Linguistic Freezes')

3. Information structure and its relation to intonation

4. Perhaps some typological generalizations, but those are by and large not
insights into the nature of language, but statistical interpretations of
extant data. 

Note that we cannot say that we have learned that there are derivations,
Universal Grammar, Parameters, etc. since these are not of sufficient
generality to be accepted outside a fairly narrow range of practioners. One
can 'do syntax' quite well without any of these assumptions. But one cannot
do syntax without a recognition of island constraints, information
structure, or grammatical constructions. By 'do syntax', I mean figure out
how languages work, e.g. field research.

I don't claim that this is an exhaustive list (though if it is anywhere
close to being on the right track, it reminds us of how important the work
of Haj Ross is).

The discovery of 'islands' is interesting in various ways. First, no one
has ever explained these islands. Second, it may be said with a minimum of
hyperbole that a large portion of syntactic theory since 1967 has been a
footnote to Ross's PhD dissertation.

What are the other major discoveries of syntax? Perhaps I am just raising
the bar too high? Perhaps I am totally wrong. Whatever the outcome, I think
it would be interesting for readers of this list to discuss what they
believe the major discoveries of modern syntax have been. 

Dan Everett

P.S. *I* believe that the truly important discoveries that have been made
since the last century are  specific facts about specific languages,
discovered by field researchers. So I am not saying that only discoveries
of high generality are important. In fact, I think that they are less
important, in a Jamesian sorta way. 


Linguistic Field(s): Syntax


	
-------------------------Message 2 ---------------------------------- 
Date: Wed, 09 Aug 2006 17:18:10
From: Daniel Brockert < rainforestguy1 at excite.com >
Subject: Designing Mass Linguistic Study Program 

	

Dear fellow linguists,
 
I just finished a two week trip to Venezuela to promote a massive linguistics 
study program in which the government would educate 250,000 
Venezuelans in linguistics.  Upon completion of the linguistics study 
program they would be eligible to serve as host families and Spanish tutors 
for foreign students and eligible to study languages abroad such as 
Quechua, Portuguese, English and other strategically important languages.

Long-term goals would be the reform of the education system and the 
creation of a multi-lingual society that preserves its indigenous languages.  
The idea has received heavy support in Venezuela, but as far as I am aware, 
no country has ever attempted to implement a mass linguistic study 
program.

I'm wondering if pilot projects have been tried in other places and if people 
have ideas for making mass linguistic study (as opposed to mere university 
study) a feasible project.  

Thank you very much, 
Daniel Brockert
Saguaro Language Institute and University of Arizona 


Linguistic Field(s): Discipline of Linguistics
 



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