Comments on: Universal Grammar, meet the Black Swan http://mikecaulfield.com/2007/06/25/universal-grammar-meet-the-black-swan/ edupunk, elearning, socialware, rhetoric, discourse analysis, instructional technology, keene nh, other stuff Sun, 20 Jul 2008 23:51:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Mike http://mikecaulfield.com/2007/06/25/universal-grammar-meet-the-black-swan/#comment-437 Mike Mon, 15 Oct 2007 18:18:05 +0000 http://mikecaulfield.com/2007/06/25/universal-grammar-meet-the-black-swan/#comment-437 Well, I think I was arguing the descriptive view of language presented by Chomsky was boring as well. I can say that because I dropped out of my PhD. program, and now as a lay person I realize the big question for me is it may be true, but so what? I'm arguing something much simpler than you are reacting to. I'm arguing that a) My life is short b) Why would I want to spend it on Chomsky when I have no interest in that aspect of language? I actually used to argue something much more complex 10 years ago, regarding how Chomsky's grammar was perverted by a textual understanding of language initially derived by the pretend sentences so prevalent in the Philosophy of Language group. But I don't need to argue that anymore. My point today is for other people Chomsky might be the really interesting aspect of language. For me it's not. And life is short. Well, I think I was arguing the descriptive view of language presented by Chomsky was boring as well.

I can say that because I dropped out of my PhD. program, and now as a lay person I realize the big question for me is it may be true, but so what?

I’m arguing something much simpler than you are reacting to. I’m arguing that

a) My life is short

b) Why would I want to spend it on Chomsky when I have no interest in that aspect of language?

I actually used to argue something much more complex 10 years ago, regarding how Chomsky’s grammar was perverted by a textual understanding of language initially derived by the pretend sentences so prevalent in the Philosophy of Language group.

But I don’t need to argue that anymore. My point today is for other people Chomsky might be the really interesting aspect of language. For me it’s not.

And life is short.

]]> By: Caitlin http://mikecaulfield.com/2007/06/25/universal-grammar-meet-the-black-swan/#comment-429 Caitlin Sat, 13 Oct 2007 05:56:28 +0000 http://mikecaulfield.com/2007/06/25/universal-grammar-meet-the-black-swan/#comment-429 Hi Mike, You set Labov and Chomsky apart on the question of grammar alone? Of course, prescriptive views of language are "boring" and untenable but Chomsky's theory of universal grammar is unaffected by Labov's variability interests. Chomsky's "innate language" theory works for all (it's universal!) irrespective of how their environmental situation may shape their language production. Caitlin Hi Mike,

You set Labov and Chomsky apart on the question of grammar alone? Of course, prescriptive views of language are “boring” and untenable but Chomsky’s theory of universal grammar is unaffected by Labov’s variability interests. Chomsky’s “innate language” theory works for all (it’s universal!) irrespective of how their environmental situation may shape their language production.

Caitlin

]]> By: JimC http://mikecaulfield.com/2007/06/25/universal-grammar-meet-the-black-swan/#comment-67 JimC Wed, 01 Aug 2007 21:16:50 +0000 http://mikecaulfield.com/2007/06/25/universal-grammar-meet-the-black-swan/#comment-67 I just heard yesterday about this black swan concept (saw the book in Barnes & Noble). Intriguing idea -- but I have no idea what to do with it. I just heard yesterday about this black swan concept (saw the book in Barnes & Noble). Intriguing idea — but I have no idea what to do with it.

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