A refutation of universal grammar

Bibliographic Data

ID4093728
AuthorsFrancis Y Lin (0000-0003-2468-6863)
Year2017
Volume193
Pages1-22
Publication date2017-07-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueLingua (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0024-3841 • E-ISSN: 1872-6135
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.lingua.2017.04.003
OpenAlexW2605597211
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited45

This paper offers a refutation of Chomsky's Universal Grammar (UG) from a novel perspective. It comprises a central part, clarifications and comparisons. The central part starts with an examination of Chomsky's research method and then argues that the method is seriously flawed and that it cannot lead to the discovery of any innate universals of language. In the clarifications part, a number of questions that could be raised concerning the central part of the refutation are presented and answered. The answers to these questions help to make clearer why UG is deeply problematic, and thus consolidate the central part of the refutation. The comparisons part discusses some representative critiques of UG by other scholars, shows their inadequacies, and thus further highlights the value of the present critique

Epistemology · Grammar · Linguistics · Perspective (graphical · Problem of universals · Universal Grammar · Value (mathematics · Computer Science · Historical Linguistics and Language Studies · Multilingual Education and Policy · Philosophy · semigroups and automata theory · Artificial Intelligence

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