Evolution as a constraint on theories of syntax : the case against minimalism
This thesis investigates the evolutionary plausibility of the Minimalist Program. Is such a theory of language reasonable given the assumption that the human linguistic capacity has been subject to the usual forces and processes of evolution? More generally, this thesis is a comment on the manner in which theories of language can and should be constrained. The development of generative syntactic theorising in the late 20<sup>th</sup> century has led to a much redesigned conception of the human language faculty. The driving question â âwhy is language the way it is?â â has prompted assumptions of simplicity, perfection, optimality, and economy for language; a minimal system operating in an economic fashion to fit into the larger cognitive architecture in a perfect manner. Studies in evolutionary linguistics, on the other hand, have been keen to demonstrate that language is complex, redundant, and adaptive, Pinker & Bloomâs (1990) seminal paper being perhaps the prime example of this. The question is whether these opposing views can be married in any way. Interdisciplinary evidence is brought to bear on this problem, demonstrating that any reconciliation is impossible. Evolutionary biology shows that
Parker, Anna R.
Evolution as a constraint on theories of syntax : the case against minimalism. This thesis investigates the evolutionary plausibility of the Minimalist Program. Is such a theory of language reasonable given the assumption that the human linguistic capacity has been subject to the usual forces and processes of evolution? More generally, this thesis is a comment on the manner in which theories of language can and should be constrained. The development of generative syntactic theorising in the late 20<sup>th</sup> century has led to a much redesigned conception of the human language faculty. The driving question â âwhy is language the way it is?â â has prompted assumptions of simplicity, perfection, optimality, and economy for language; a minimal system operating in an economic fashion to fit into the larger cognitive architecture in a perfect manner. Studies in evolutionary linguistics, on the other hand, have been keen to demonstrate that language is complex, redundant, and adaptive, Pinker & Bloomâs (1990) seminal paper being perhaps the prime example of this. The question is whether these opposing views can be married in any way. Interdisciplinary evidence is brought to bear on this problem, demonstrating that any reconciliation is impossible. Evolutionary biology shows that
evolution constraint theory syntax case minimalism investigates evolutionary plausibility minimalist_program theory language reasonable give assumption human linguistic capacity subject usual force process evolution generally comment manner theory language constrain development generative syntactic theorising lead much conception_human language_faculty drive question language way prompt assumption simplicity perfection economy language minimal system operate economic fashion fit large cognitive architecture perfect manner studies evolutionary linguistics hand keen language complex redundant adaptive pinker seminal paper perhaps prime_example this question_whether oppose_view marry way interdisciplinary evidence bring_bear problem demonstrate reconciliation impossible evolutionary_biology show