Recursion in Language: A Layered-Derivation Approach
This paper argues that recursion in language is to be understood not in terms of embedding, but in terms of derivational layering. A construction is recursive if part of its input is the output of a separate derivational layer. Complex clauses may be derived recursively in this sense, but also itera...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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PsychOpen GOLD/ Leibniz Institute for Psychology
2011-06-01
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| Series: | Biolinguistics |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.5964/bioling.8829 |
| _version_ | 1797338075548876800 |
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| author | Jan-Wouter Zwart |
| author_facet | Jan-Wouter Zwart |
| author_sort | Jan-Wouter Zwart |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper argues that recursion in language is to be understood not in terms of embedding, but in terms of derivational layering. A construction is recursive if part of its input is the output of a separate derivational layer. Complex clauses may be derived recursively in this sense, but also iteratively, suggesting that standard arguments for or against recursion in language are misdirected. More generally, we cannot tell that a grammar is recursive by simply looking at its output; we have to know about the generative procedure. Using the new definition of recursion in terms of derivational layering, we once again inspect the recorded data of Pirahã, arguing that there is reason to believe that the grammar of Pirahã is recursive after all. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T09:24:47Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-31e8e049115e48608c440f610bf6cd17 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1450-3417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T09:24:47Z |
| publishDate | 2011-06-01 |
| publisher | PsychOpen GOLD/ Leibniz Institute for Psychology |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biolinguistics |
| spelling | doaj.art-31e8e049115e48608c440f610bf6cd172024-01-31T10:02:57ZengPsychOpen GOLD/ Leibniz Institute for PsychologyBiolinguistics1450-34172011-06-0151-204305610.5964/bioling.88298829Recursion in Language: A Layered-Derivation ApproachJan-Wouter Zwart0University of GroningenThis paper argues that recursion in language is to be understood not in terms of embedding, but in terms of derivational layering. A construction is recursive if part of its input is the output of a separate derivational layer. Complex clauses may be derived recursively in this sense, but also iteratively, suggesting that standard arguments for or against recursion in language are misdirected. More generally, we cannot tell that a grammar is recursive by simply looking at its output; we have to know about the generative procedure. Using the new definition of recursion in terms of derivational layering, we once again inspect the recorded data of Pirahã, arguing that there is reason to believe that the grammar of Pirahã is recursive after all.https://doi.org/10.5964/bioling.8829cyclicityderivationlayered derivationpirahãrecursion |
| spellingShingle | Jan-Wouter Zwart Recursion in Language: A Layered-Derivation Approach Biolinguistics cyclicity derivation layered derivation pirahã recursion |
| title | Recursion in Language: A Layered-Derivation Approach |
| title_full | Recursion in Language: A Layered-Derivation Approach |
| title_fullStr | Recursion in Language: A Layered-Derivation Approach |
| title_full_unstemmed | Recursion in Language: A Layered-Derivation Approach |
| title_short | Recursion in Language: A Layered-Derivation Approach |
| title_sort | recursion in language a layered derivation approach |
| topic | cyclicity derivation layered derivation pirahã recursion |
| url | https://doi.org/10.5964/bioling.8829 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT janwouterzwart recursioninlanguagealayeredderivationapproach |