Re: Constructive linguistics

Sai wrote:
> > Your analog is equivalent to professional linguists using
> > theoretical models, algorithms, to predict grammatical and
> > ungrammatical strings.
>
> Sounds like a good description of generative syntax to me. ;-)
That was actually the intention, sort of. I was responding to your claim
that weather modelling achieves useful results, and I believe
analogously that modern linguistic theory achieves useful results
from its models.  However, I think there's a distinction to be made
between generative models and derivational models.  Generative models
include monostratal theories like LFG and HPSG, since these generate
grammaticality with rules not entirely unlike rewrite rules from
generative grammar in the 1960s, along with constraits.  But qua
monostratality, there can't be derivational, since there is no
distinction between levels to derive with.  So, I'm not sure I
agree with your smiley about generative grammar.

 =========================================================================
Thomas Wier	       "I find it useful to meet my subjects personally,
Dept. of Linguistics    because our secret police don't get it right
University of Chicago   half the time." -- octogenarian Sheikh Zayed of
1010 E. 59th Street     Abu Dhabi, to a French reporter.
Chicago, IL 60637