DANC 010AD Lecture Notes - Lecture 26: Generative Grammar, Noam Chomsky, Gestalt Psychology
Document Summary
Descriptive and structural linguistics: descriptive and structural linguistics 3 sources, ferdinand de saussure one of paul s pupils, the current language system is important synchronic orientation (vs. a diachronic one, synchronic analysis of language = system. Individual elements are related to all the other elements; meaning/function of an element follows from its position in the system = a structuralist theory: saussure postulated 4 dichotomies around what have become basic concepts of structuralism: Langue (system in mind of speaker) and parole (practical application of knowledge) Synchronic (different points in time, with time) and diachronic (presupposed, across time) analysis. Signifier and signified (his model of a linguistic sign, s. defined the relationship between forms and meanings (signs) as arbitrary (beliebig) Paradigmatic (more precise, vertical) and syntagmatic (easier, horizontal) orientation: 2nd source: american descriptivism. Influences of anthropology (1920s/30s): hans boas, edward sapir, benjamin l. whorf: tried to record american indian languages. Language has influence on the way, american indians perceive the world.