SYNTAX-1: Types of Grammars and Locating Syntax within Linguistics

Summary

In this introductory lecture on syntax, Dr. Nemeth Hubbell explores the principles of generative grammar, referencing Andrew Carney's 'Syntax: A Generative Introduction.' He discusses theories of language acquisition, contrasting behaviorism with Noam Chomsky's innateness theory, which posits that humans possess an inherent 'language acquisition device.' Dr. Hubbell emphasizes the importance of descriptive rules over prescriptive ones, aiming to understand the implicit grammar in native speakers' minds. The lecture also outlines the components of the language faculty, including sound, form, and meaning, setting the stage for future discussions on the intricacies of syntax.

Takeaways

• 📚 Dr. Nemeth Hubbell Saline introduces the course on syntax, based on Andrew Carney's 'Syntax: A Generative Introduction'.
• ❓ The initial focus is on language acquisition, questioning how we can understand and produce sentences we've never heard before.
• 👶 The behaviorism theory suggests we learn language by imitating and being reinforced or punished by parents.
• 🧠 Innateness theory, led by Noam Chomsky, posits that humans are born with an inherent 'Language Acquisition Device' (LAD) that filters language input.
• 🌐 Universal Grammar (UG) is a key concept in the innateness theory, representing innate rules shared across all human languages.
• 📏 Generative syntax emphasizes understanding language through principles and parameters, including the correct order of subjects, verbs, and objects.
• 🔍 Three levels of grammar are defined: observationally adequate, descriptively adequate, and explanatorily adequate, with a goal of achieving the latter.
• 📜 Descriptive rules reflect actual language use, while prescriptive rules dictate how language should be used according to traditional standards.
• 🗣️ The course will focus on descriptive rules to better understand native speakers' language knowledge and use.
• 🔤 Syntax is defined as the scientific study of the structure of language, breaking down language into sounds, morphemes, words, phrases, and sentences.

Q & A

Who is the instructor of the class on syntax?

The instructor is Dr. Nemeth Hubbell Saline.

What is the primary textbook used for the course?

The primary textbook is Andrew Carney's 'Syntax: A Generative Introduction, Third Edition (2013)'.

What does the instructor suggest about language acquisition?

The instructor discusses different theories of language acquisition, specifically behaviorism and the innateness theory.

What is behaviorism in the context of language acquisition?

Behaviorism suggests that individuals acquire language by imitating what they hear from their parents and receiving reinforcement for correct usage.

How does the innateness theory differ from behaviorism?

The innateness theory posits that humans are born with an innate language acquisition device (LAD) and universal grammar, allowing them to understand and produce language without solely relying on imitation.

What is universal grammar (UG)?

Universal grammar is the set of innate rules that underlie all human languages, which helps individuals acquire their native language.

What are the three types of grammar mentioned, and what distinguishes them?

The three types of grammar are observationally adequate, descriptively adequate, and explanatorily adequate. Observationally adequate accounts for observed data; descriptively adequate includes acceptability judgments of native speakers; explanatorily adequate explains language acquisition and encompasses the previous two.

What is the difference between descriptive and prescriptive rules?

Descriptive rules describe how people actually use language, while prescriptive rules dictate how language should be used according to certain standards.

What is syntax, according to the lecture?

Syntax is the scientific study of the form or structure of human language, focusing on how sentences are constructed from smaller linguistic units.

What are the branches of linguistics mentioned in the lecture?

The branches of linguistics mentioned include phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics.