1 Introduction

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1 Introduction

• 1.1 The Scientific Study of Language
• 1.2 The Competence/Performance Distinction
• 1.3 Some Simple Approaches to Grammaticality
• Judgements

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1.1 The Scientific Study of Language

• By using the methods of the natural sciences
• a. formulating hypotheses
• b. testing those hypotheses against data
• c. making the theory as simple as possible
• 1.2.1 What are we studying?
• the human brain (black box)

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1.2 The Competence/Performance Distinction

• Syntax sentence structure grammar

competence performance
know do
Underlying knowledge Actual speech
abstract Errors Slips of tongue
Langue Parole
Underlying structure Surface structure