Generative grammar is the idea that although our brains are limited; and our experience with a language is always limited, as we have not herd all possible combinations of native or secondary language. However, we have an innate ability to generate and understand an infinite number of combinations of sentences. This mean although I have never herd a combination of works in a particular sequence, I will be able to understand it. Further, although I have never herd a sentence or grammar structure, I will be able to create a sentence. There is a finite set of grammar rules in a language. Noam Chomsky is the originator of the theory of generative grammar. Many linguists love Chomsky and talk about his theories all the time. As a human I think he has male a huge contribution to linguistics.
Although I have not give this much though, I would say my first reaction is, with all due respect, its a nice theory but has limited practical application and further not fully true. I can generally make sentences and create sentence in Polish that are grammatically correct. However, if I have not herd a sequence, even in a limited way it would be very hard to be perfectly correct. Further, when I give Polish native speakers crazy fun tests on their own grammar, they do not know it. I will take foreign or fictional or elf language words or strange ideas and ask them to make a sentence with all the proper word endings etc, and they have to think about and debate the declinations and grammar, as they have never herd such word declinations. Even if there is a rule they do not have an innate feel for it, they have to start thinking. Many times they will get it wrong according to the rule and say, ‘oh well we do not usually change foreign’ words or phrases. This is true, but the point is its hard for them to self generate which they have not herd or encountered. Maybe I am missing the point with generative grammar linguistic theory, but in reality it never sat well with me. I think you need massive exposure to a language to speak it.
2 responses to Generative grammar theory of linquistics
need to learn
Ahm… I think you’ve been just too frustrated trying to learn the language and I do know how stressful declinations can be. I’m not Polish. I’m Serb but since my language also has declinations, I suppose the complexity is similar.
Depending on the education of the particular individual, you’ll encounter native speakers of every language who are not too familiar with their own grammar.
So it depends how you chose your Polish test subjects.
You definitely right about the importance of language exposure, particularly when it comes to spoken language.
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