In addition to its theoretical impact, the development of molecular biology has brought about the possibility of extraordinary historical progress in the study of phylogenetic classification of different species and human populations (especially cf. Cavalli Sforza et al., 1994, among others). We argue that parametric analyses of grammatical diversity in theoretical linguistics, stemming from Chomsky (1981), can prompt analogous progress in the historical classification of language families, by showing that abstract syntactic properties are reliable indicators of phylogenetic relations. The pursuit of this approach radically questions the traditional belief in the orthogonality of grammatical typology and language genealogy, broadly supporting Nichols’ (1992) program, and ultimately contributes to establishing formal grammar as a population science and historical linguistics as an important part of cognitive inquiry.

The Biolinguistic Program and Historical Reconstruction / Longobardi, Giuseppe; Guardiano, Cristina. - STAMPA. - (2011), pp. 266-304.

The Biolinguistic Program and Historical Reconstruction

GUARDIANO, Cristina
2011

Abstract

In addition to its theoretical impact, the development of molecular biology has brought about the possibility of extraordinary historical progress in the study of phylogenetic classification of different species and human populations (especially cf. Cavalli Sforza et al., 1994, among others). We argue that parametric analyses of grammatical diversity in theoretical linguistics, stemming from Chomsky (1981), can prompt analogous progress in the historical classification of language families, by showing that abstract syntactic properties are reliable indicators of phylogenetic relations. The pursuit of this approach radically questions the traditional belief in the orthogonality of grammatical typology and language genealogy, broadly supporting Nichols’ (1992) program, and ultimately contributes to establishing formal grammar as a population science and historical linguistics as an important part of cognitive inquiry.
2011
The Biolinguistic Enterprise: New Perspectives on the Evolution and Nature of the Human Language Faculty
Di Sciullo, Anna Maria; Boeckx, Cedric
9780199553280
Oxford University Press
REGNO UNITO DI GRAN BRETAGNA
The Biolinguistic Program and Historical Reconstruction / Longobardi, Giuseppe; Guardiano, Cristina. - STAMPA. - (2011), pp. 266-304.
Longobardi, Giuseppe; Guardiano, Cristina
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11380/639686
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