Transformative Generative Grammar Quiz

Study Notes

Transformative Generative Grammar

Definition

A theoretical framework in linguistics that posits that language is innate and that humans have an innate capacity for generating an infinite number of sentences from a finite set of rules.
Developed by Noam Chomsky in the 1950s and 1960s.

Key Components

Deep Structure: The underlying, abstract representation of a sentence that captures its meaning and relationships between words.
Surface Structure: The actual, physical representation of a sentence as spoken or written.
Transformation: A rule that converts a deep structure into a surface structure, altering the sentence's form while preserving its meaning.

Types of Transformations

Movement Transformations: Rearrange the order of words or phrases, such as passive voice or question formation.
Insertion Transformations: Add words or phrases to a sentence, such as inserting "do" in a sentence to form a question.
Deletion Transformations: Remove words or phrases from a sentence, such as reducing a sentence to its essential components.

Chomsky's Hierarchy

Type 0: Unrestricted grammar, capable of generating all possible sentences.
Type 1: Context-sensitive grammar, where the application of a rule depends on the context in which it is applied.
Type 2: Context-free grammar, where the application of a rule is independent of context.
Type 3: Regular grammar, where the application of a rule is based on a finite number of states.

Criticisms and Controversies

Innateness Hypothesis: The idea that language is innate has been challenged by some linguists, who argue that language is acquired through experience and interaction.
Poverty of the Stimulus: The argument that children are not exposed to enough linguistic data to learn a language, and therefore must have an innate capacity for language acquisition.
Linguistic Universals: The idea that there are universal principles and patterns that underlie all human languages has been challenged by some linguists, who argue that language is more diverse and varied than previously thought.

Transformative Generative Grammar

Definition

A theoretical framework in linguistics that proposes language is innate and humans have an innate capacity for generating an infinite number of sentences from a finite set of rules.
Developed by Noam Chomsky in the 1950s and 1960s.

Key Components

Deep Structure: Captures the underlying meaning and relationships between words in a sentence.
Surface Structure: The physical representation of a sentence as spoken or written.
Transformation: A rule that converts a deep structure into a surface structure, altering the sentence's form while preserving its meaning.

Types of Transformations

Movement Transformations: Rearrange the order of words or phrases (e.g., passive voice or question formation).
Insertion Transformations: Add words or phrases to a sentence (e.g., inserting "do" in a sentence to form a question).
Deletion Transformations: Remove words or phrases from a sentence (e.g., reducing a sentence to its essential components).

Chomsky's Hierarchy

Type 0: Unrestricted grammar, capable of generating all possible sentences.
Type 1: Context-sensitive grammar, where the application of a rule depends on the context.
Type 2: Context-free grammar, where the application of a rule is independent of context.
Type 3: Regular grammar, where the application of a rule is based on a finite number of states.

Criticisms and Controversies

Innateness Hypothesis: The idea that language is innate has been challenged by some linguists, who argue that language is acquired through experience and interaction.
Poverty of the Stimulus: The argument that children are not exposed to enough linguistic data to learn a language, and therefore must have an innate capacity for language acquisition.
Linguistic Universals: The idea that there are universal principles and patterns that underlie all human languages has been challenged by some linguists, who argue that language is more diverse and varied than previously thought.

Description

Test your understanding of Noam Chomsky's theoretical framework that posits language is innate and humans have an innate capacity for generating sentences from a finite set of rules. Explore the key components of deep structure and surface structure.