Linguistics and the Formal Sciences: The Origins of Generative Grammar

Marcus Tomalin0521854814, 9780521854818, 9780511146985

The formal sciences, particularly mathematics, have had a profound influence on the development of linguistics. This insightful overview looks at techniques that were introduced in the fields of mathematics, logic and philosophy during the twentieth century, and explores their effect on the work of various linguists. In particular, it discusses the ‘foundations crisis’ that destabilised mathematics at the start of the twentieth century, the numerous related movements which sought to respond to this crisis, and how they influenced the development of syntactic theory in the 1950s. The book concludes by discussing the resulting major consequences for syntactic theory, and provides a detailed reassessment of Chomsky’s early work at the advent of Generative Grammar. Informative and revealing, this book will be invaluable to all those working in formal linguistics, in particular those interested in its history and development.

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Table of contents :
Half-title……Page 2
Series-title……Page 4
Title……Page 6
Copyright……Page 7
Dedication……Page 8
Contents……Page 10
Acknowledgments……Page 12
Mathematical symbols……Page 13
Abbreviations……Page 14
1 Introduction……Page 16
2.1 Chapter overview……Page 36
2.2 Calculus: doubts and disputes……Page 37
2.3 Rigour, arithmetic, and axioms……Page 41
2.4 Set theory and paradoxes……Page 44
2.5 Logicism……Page 47
2.6 Formalism……Page 53
2.7 Intuitionism……Page 60
2.8 Evangelism and pedagogy……Page 62
3.1 Chapter overview……Page 69
3.2 Axiomatics……Page 70
3.3 Recursive definitions……Page 75
3.4 Logical systems……Page 82
3.5 Constructional system theory……Page 88
3.6 Constructive nominalism……Page 99
3.7 Formal linguistic theory……Page 103
3.8 New directions……Page 121
4.1 Chapter overview……Page 123
4.2 Biography and influences……Page 124
4.3 Simplicity and grammar……Page 127
4.4 Constructive nominalist syntax……Page 136
4.5 Logic and linguistic theory……Page 140
5.2 Stochastic processes and autonomous grammar……Page 155
5.3 From discovery to evaluation……Page 164
5.4 Constructional levels……Page 171
5.5 Transforming transformations……Page 174
5.6 Recursive rules……Page 183
5.7 Formal syntax……Page 189
6 Conclusion……Page 198
The consequences of analysis……Page 216
Mathematical linguistics……Page 218
Systems of syntax: 1951–1995……Page 221
Transforming generative grammar: 1955–1957……Page 222
Conclusion……Page 223
Bibliography……Page 224
Index……Page 235