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The language capacity that has evolved is a generative system that yields an infinite array of
structured expressions that constitute thoughts, linguistically expressed, and can be
externalized by sensory modality.
Two Internal Interfaces
1. Conceptual-intentional interface: provides linguistically formulated thought (language
of thought)
2. Sensory-motor interfaces: one or another modality that provides modes for
externalizing thoughts
Important Distinctions Between Concepts
1. Generative System (competence) vs. The Use of the System (performance)
Generation is not the same with distinction
The Galilean challenge is formulated in terms of production not generation.
Two Aspects of Performance
1. Input systems (parsing-perception; basically a reflex (Merrill Garrett, cognitive psychologist
fro the University of Arizona)
2. Output systems (productions)
The Strong Minimalist Thesis: It is the claim that language is an optimal solution to
interface conditions:
the human faculty of language FL [is] an optimal solution to minimal design
specifications, conditions that must be satisfied for language to be usable at allfor
each language L (a state of FL), the expressions generated by L must be legible to
systems that access these objects at the interface between FL and external systems
external to FL, internal to the person.
suggest the ideal that the generative system that emerged is close to perfect, thus satisfying
the general principles of computational efficiency
Science Standard Model: Greater simplicity translates deeper explanation
The Structure Dependence of Rules Puzzle: linguistic operations universally ignore the
very much simple computation of linear distance and use instead the much more complex
structural distance. Linear order is never entertained by a child learning a language in
computing language of thought. The internal computations that yield the linguistically
expressible thought have to be externalized by passing through the sensory-motor system.
Displacement Property of Phrases: disparity between whats generated at the thought
interface and whats produced at the sensory-motor interface
Computational Efficiency vs. Communicative Efficiency
Language seems to be designed for internal thought NOT for use (communication). The
internal linguistically constructed thought need not appear consciously in externalized form.
Conclusion: That communication is the prime function of language is incorrect. Language is
primarily an instrument of thought.
Fundamental Asymmetry Between the Two Interfaces
Generation of thought is the core of language. The mapping of the core of language to the
sensory-motor system is ancillary. Its properties are substantially reflex of the sensory-motor
system which evolved before language emerged and probably has little or nothing to do with
language. Therefore, externalization to the motor-system would be complex because its
relating to two unrelated systems.
Learning first or second language requires the task to acquire the externalization which
includes the arbitrary assignment of sound to lexical items, word order, morphological
pattern, etc.