Re: CHAT: Chomsky and the LSA

On 13 Jan, Thomas R. Wier wrote:


<snip>

>  [Ives' question clearly betrayed an ignorance
> of the literature on the family in Britain that was of late discovered
> to be possessing a deformed gene which was linked to speech defects.
> Those family members who carried two copies of the recessive allele
> were essentially unable to acquire syntax, as I recall, while others
> were carriers.]
    That is interesting!
    As a speech-language-pathologist, I am aware of many
syndromes caused by faulty genetics, resulting in problems acquiring
and using language. Usually, these result in retardation of various
levels of severity or some form of autism. Even then, the people
are usually capable of acquiring syntax (albeit slower than normal
and to various levels of completeness).
    Any genetic problem, AFAIK, that would _prevent_  acquisition of syntax
would probably also cause severe problems in many other areas!
    I am not familiar with the literature on the British family and would be
very interested to learn the details! Would you, by any chance, happen to
have a reference that I could look up?



    Dan Sulani
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likehsna rtem zuv tikuhnuh auag inuvuz vaka'a.

A word is an awesome thing.