What counts as evidence in historical linguistics?
-
Olga Fischer
Abstract
The main aim of this paper is to establish the position of historical linguistics in the wider field of linguistics. Section 1 centres on the immediate and long term goals of historical linguistics. Section 2 discusses the type of data that play a role and looks at tools to be used for the analysis of the data. It also addresses the question whether the explanation of the data should be in terms of grammar change (as advocated by formalist linguists) or language change. This latter point automatically leads to the question as to what type of grammatical model or theory the historical linguist should work with, and more particularly, in how far the innate, syntacto-centric generative model is adequate for studying grammar change (Section 3). This is followed by a brief conclusion in which a semi-independent position for the historical linguist is advocated.
Abstract
The main aim of this paper is to establish the position of historical linguistics in the wider field of linguistics. Section 1 centres on the immediate and long term goals of historical linguistics. Section 2 discusses the type of data that play a role and looks at tools to be used for the analysis of the data. It also addresses the question whether the explanation of the data should be in terms of grammar change (as advocated by formalist linguists) or language change. This latter point automatically leads to the question as to what type of grammatical model or theory the historical linguist should work with, and more particularly, in how far the innate, syntacto-centric generative model is adequate for studying grammar change (Section 3). This is followed by a brief conclusion in which a semi-independent position for the historical linguist is advocated.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface vii
- What counts as evidence in linguistics? 1
- Typological evidence and Universal Grammar 51
- Remarks on the relation between language typology and Universal Grammar 75
- Does linguistic explanation presuppose linguistic description? 81
- Remarks on description and explanation in grammar 109
- Author’s response 113
- From UG to Universals 117
- Form, meaning and speakers in the evolution of language 139
- Author’s response 143
- Why assume UG? 147
- What kind of evidence could refute the UG hypothesis? 175
- Author’s response 179
- A question of relevance 181
- The Relevance of Variation 209
- Author’s response 215
- Universals, innateness and explanation in second language acquisition 217
- ‘Internal’ versus ‘external’ universals 241
- Author’s response 245
- What counts as evidence in historical linguistics? 249
- Abstraction and performance 283
- Author’s response 287
- Index 291
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface vii
- What counts as evidence in linguistics? 1
- Typological evidence and Universal Grammar 51
- Remarks on the relation between language typology and Universal Grammar 75
- Does linguistic explanation presuppose linguistic description? 81
- Remarks on description and explanation in grammar 109
- Author’s response 113
- From UG to Universals 117
- Form, meaning and speakers in the evolution of language 139
- Author’s response 143
- Why assume UG? 147
- What kind of evidence could refute the UG hypothesis? 175
- Author’s response 179
- A question of relevance 181
- The Relevance of Variation 209
- Author’s response 215
- Universals, innateness and explanation in second language acquisition 217
- ‘Internal’ versus ‘external’ universals 241
- Author’s response 245
- What counts as evidence in historical linguistics? 249
- Abstraction and performance 283
- Author’s response 287
- Index 291
