Many important language universals are not reducible to processing or cognition

David P. Medeiros; Massi Piattelli-Palmarini; Thomas G Bever

doi:10.1017/S0140525X15000722

Many important language universals are not reducible to processing or cognition

David P. Medeiros, Massi Piattelli-Palmarini, Thomas G Bever

Linguistics

Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › peer-review

Abstract

Christiansen & Chater (C&C) ignore the many linguistic universals that cannot be reduced to processing or cognitive constraints, some of which we present. Their claim that grammar is merely acquired language processing skill cannot account for such universals. Their claim that all other universal properties are historically and culturally based is a nonsequitur about language evolution, lacking data.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	e86
Journal	The Behavioral and brain sciences
Volume	39
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1017/S0140525X15000722
State	Published - Jan 1 2016

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology
Physiology
Language and Linguistics
Linguistics and Language
Behavioral Neuroscience

Access to Document

10.1017/S0140525X15000722

Cite this

@article{3b7df270c72a4a32bcb27d61bf38dc28,

title = "Many important language universals are not reducible to processing or cognition",

abstract = "Christiansen & Chater (C&C) ignore the many linguistic universals that cannot be reduced to processing or cognitive constraints, some of which we present. Their claim that grammar is merely acquired language processing skill cannot account for such universals. Their claim that all other universal properties are historically and culturally based is a nonsequitur about language evolution, lacking data.",

author = "Medeiros, {David P.} and Massi Piattelli-Palmarini and Bever, {Thomas G}",

year = "2016",

month = jan,

day = "1",

doi = "10.1017/S0140525X15000722",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "39",

pages = "e86",

journal = "Behavioral and Brain Sciences",

issn = "0140-525X",

publisher = "Cambridge University Press",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Many important language universals are not reducible to processing or cognition

AU - Medeiros, David P.

AU - Piattelli-Palmarini, Massi

AU - Bever, Thomas G

PY - 2016/1/1

Y1 - 2016/1/1

N2 - Christiansen & Chater (C&C) ignore the many linguistic universals that cannot be reduced to processing or cognitive constraints, some of which we present. Their claim that grammar is merely acquired language processing skill cannot account for such universals. Their claim that all other universal properties are historically and culturally based is a nonsequitur about language evolution, lacking data.

AB - Christiansen & Chater (C&C) ignore the many linguistic universals that cannot be reduced to processing or cognitive constraints, some of which we present. Their claim that grammar is merely acquired language processing skill cannot account for such universals. Their claim that all other universal properties are historically and culturally based is a nonsequitur about language evolution, lacking data.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85021855464&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85021855464&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1017/S0140525X15000722

DO - 10.1017/S0140525X15000722

M3 - Comment/debate

C2 - 27562411

AN - SCOPUS:85021855464

VL - 39

SP - e86

JO - Behavioral and Brain Sciences

JF - Behavioral and Brain Sciences

SN - 0140-525X

ER -

Many important language universals are not reducible to processing or cognition

Abstract

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Cite this