An Evaluation of Universal Grammar and the Phonological Mind

Frontiers in Psychology

Daniel L. Everett¹ 

关键词: phonology;    recursion;    universal grammar;    linguistic universals;    syntax;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00015

学科分类：心理学（综合）

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

This paper argues against the hypothesis of a “phonological mind” advanced by Berent. It establishes that there is no evidence that phonology is innate and that, in fact, the simplest hypothesis seems to be that phonology is learned like other human abilities. Moreover, the paper fleshes out the original claim of Philip Lieberman that Universal Grammar predicts that not everyone should be able to learn every language, i.e., the opposite of what UG is normally thought to predict. The paper also underscores the problem that the absence of recursion in Pirahã represents for Universal Grammar proposals.

【 授权许可】

CC BY