SYNTAX-2: Rules, the Scientific Method and Sources of Data

Summary

This lecture explores the concept of syntax and the 'rules' governing language through the lens of the scientific method. It outlines the process of observation, generalization, hypothesis formation, and testing, using the example of anaphors to illustrate how grammatical rules are derived. The speaker emphasizes the importance of gathering data from both corpora and native speaker judgments, highlighting that reliable rules emerge from understanding native intuitions about language. The session sets the stage for deeper discussions on syntax, engaging learners in the scientific study of language structure.

Takeaways

• 📚 Syntax is studied using the scientific method, which involves observation, generalization, hypothesis development, and testing.
• 🔍 The scientific method in syntax includes gathering data, making generalizations, and repeatedly testing hypotheses.
• 🤔 Anaphors, like pronouns with the suffix 'self,' must agree in gender and number with their antecedents.
• ⚖️ Generalizations about language rules can be derived from observing native speakers' acceptability judgments.
• 📊 Data sources for studying syntax include corpora and native speaker competence.
• 🌐 Corpora consist of collections of natural language but may not always accurately represent grammatical rules.
• 🚫 Over-generation and under-generation are potential issues when relying solely on corpora for rule formulation.
• 🗣️ The most reliable data comes from asking multiple native speakers to judge the grammaticality of sentences.
• ⚙️ Descriptive rules focus on how language is actually used, as opposed to prescriptive rules that dictate how it should be used.
• 🔄 The process of developing language rules is iterative, involving continuous observation and modification of hypotheses.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the lecture?

The lecture primarily focuses on syntax and the rules that govern it, along with how these rules are derived using the scientific method.

How does the scientific method apply to the study of syntax?

The scientific method involves observing data, forming generalizations, developing hypotheses, and testing these hypotheses through further data collection.

What are anaphors, and can you provide examples?

Anaphors are pronouns that refer back to an antecedent in a sentence. Examples include 'himself' and 'herself.'

What generalization can be made about anaphors based on the examples given?

An anaphor must agree in gender and number with its antecedent. For example, 'John likes himself' is correct because both are masculine singular.

What issues can arise when relying solely on corpora for linguistic data?

Relying on corpora can lead to under-generation, where rules are too broad, or over-generation, where they are too strict and mislabel grammatical sentences as ungrammatical.

What is meant by acceptability judgments?

Acceptability judgments refer to assessments made by native speakers about whether a sentence sounds grammatical or ungrammatical to them.

Why is it important to gather data from multiple native speakers?

It is important to gather data from multiple native speakers to ensure a diverse range of judgments, which enhances the reliability of the linguistic rules derived from their input.

What is the significance of hypotheses in the context of syntax?

Hypotheses in syntax represent proposed rules or generalizations about how language works, and they are tested and refined based on new data.

How can the findings from this lecture be applied in future linguistic research?

The findings highlight the importance of empirical data collection and the need for a systematic approach in studying language rules, which can guide future linguistic inquiries.

What is the relationship between antecedents and anaphors?

Antecedents are the nouns or phrases that anaphors refer back to in a sentence, and they must agree with the anaphors in terms of gender and number.