Language, Mind and Computation

This book explores how and in what ways the relationship between language, mind and computation can be conceived of, given that a number of foundational assumptions about this relationship remain unacknowledged in mainstream linguistic theory, yet continue to be the basis of theoretical developments and empirical advances. This book investigates the connection between language, mind and computation in theoretical linguistics in particular and cognitive science in general. The relationship between grammar, mind and computation which buttresses much of mainstream linguistic theory is rarely questioned but forms the basis of many theoretical developments and empirical advances. Language, Mind and Computation challenges and critiques the basis of this relationship, attempting to demonstrate that natural language grammars cannot be both mental and computational if the nature of interpretation is unaccounted for. This ambitious book will be of interest to theoretical linguists, philosophers of language, psycholinguists and even computer scientists This Book Investigates The Connection Between Language, Mind And Computation In Theoretical Linguistics In Particular And Cognitive Science In General. The Relationship Between Grammar, Mind And Computation Which Buttresses Much Of Mainstream Linguistic Theory Is Rarely Questioned But Forms The Basis Of Many Theoretical Developments And Empirical Advances. Language, Mind And Computation Challenges And Critiques The Basis Of This Relationship, Attempting To Demonstrate That Natural Language Grammars Cannot Be Both Mental And Computational If The Nature Of Interpretation Is Unaccounted For. This Ambitious Book Will Be Of Interest To Theoretical Linguists, Philosophers Of Language, Psycholinguists And Even Computer Scientists. 1. Introduction -- 2. Language And Linguistic Theory -- 3. How Language Relates To The Mind -- 4. How Language Relates To Computation -- 5. Putting It All Together: The Relation Between Language, Mind And Computation -- 6. The Emerging Connection -- 7. Linguistic Theory, Explanation And Linguistic Competence -- 8. Linguistic Theory, Learnability, Mind And Computation -- 9. Conclusion Prakash Mondal, Indian Institute Of Technology, New Delhi, India. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 249-260) And Index. Front Matter....Pages i-xiv Introduction....Pages 1-14 Language and Linguistic Theory....Pages 15-44 How Language Relates to the Mind....Pages 45-89 How Language Relates to Computation....Pages 90-143 Putting it all together: the Relation between Language, Mind and Computation....Pages 144-190 The Emerging Connection....Pages 191-216 Linguistic Theory, Explanation and Linguistic Competence....Pages 217-229 Linguistic Theory, Learnability, Mind and Computation....Pages 230-236 Conclusion....Pages 237-240 Back Matter....Pages 241-263 Cover 1 Contents 8 List of Figures 9 Preface 11 Acknowledgements 14 1 Introduction 16 2 Language and Linguistic Theory 30 3 How Language Relates to the Mind 60 4 How Language Relates to Computation 105 5 Putting it all together: the Relation between Language, Mind and Computation 159 6 The Emerging Connection 206 7 Linguistic Theory, Explanation and Linguistic Competence 232 8 Linguistic Theory, Learnability, Mind and Computation 245 9 Conclusion 252 Notes 256 References 264 Index 276 'This book sheds a new light on the relationship between language, mind and computation as conceived of in current linguistic theory.' - Marcelo Dascal, Tel Aviv University, Israel