On the goals of theoretical linguistics

Abstract: We review some of the main goals of theoretical linguistics in the tradition of Generative Grammar: description, evolvability and learnability. We evaluate recent efforts to address these goals, culminating with the Minimalist Program. We suggest that the most prominent versions of the Minimalist Program represent just one possible approach to addressing these goals, and not a particularly illuminating one in many respects. Some desirable features of an alternative minimalist theory are the dissociation between syntax and linear order, the emphasis on representational economy (i.e. Simpler Syntax) and an extra-grammatical account of non-local constraints (e.g. islands). We conclude with the outline of an alternative minimalist perspective that we believe points to more satisfactory accounts of the observed phenomena.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: On the goals of theoretical linguistics ; volume:50 ; number:1-2 ; year:2024 ; pages:49-61 ; extent:13 ; Theoretical linguistics ; 50, Heft 1-2 (2024), 49-61 (gesamt 13)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Culicover, Peter W. ; Varaschin, Giuseppe

Further information

• DOI: 10.1515/tl-2024-2003
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2407081537142.527737033351
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 14.08.2025, 11:01 AM CEST