Signs and structures in language

Export

McLaren, John (1995) Signs and structures in language. UNSPECIFIED. (Unpublished)

Abstract

Contains a discussion about the origins of language. The author maintains that none of the theories can account for the complexity of language, the fact that it consists not just of words but also of syntax. This combination gives language its power, generating a human creativity such that every sentence we utter is likely to be unique - a statement that has never been made before. The origins of language are so far distant in time, as distant as the origin of the species, that linguists today are reluctant to speculate about them. No theory can be proved or disapproved, but some account better than others for the observable facts about language.

Additional Information

Original paper is of poor quality.
Item type Other
URI https://vuir.vu.edu.au/id/eprint/17214
Subjects Historical > FOR Classification > 2004 Linguistics
Current > Collections > McLaren Papers
Keywords Syntax, language, linguistics, artificial intelligence, semiology, semiotics, cultural context, MCLAREN-BOXB7-DOC9
Download/View statistics View download statistics for this item

Search Google Scholar

Repository staff login

CORE (COnnecting REpositories)