Question

What is Chomsky's main complain with phrase structure rules, and what 3 reasons does he use to back up his argument?

Answer 1

Chomsky's main criticism of phrase structure rules is their inability to account for the complexity of language, particularly recursion, novel sentence formation, and consistent language acquisition in children, pointing to an innate capacity for language learning.

Step-by-step explanation:

Noam Chomsky's main complaint with phrase structure rules is that they are insufficient for capturing the complexity and creativity inherent in human language. He backs up his argument with three key points:

1. Phrase structure rules cannot account for the recursive aspect of language, where sentences can be indefinitely extended.
2. These rules do not explain the ability of speakers to understand and form completely new sentences they have never heard before.
3. Phrase structure rules are inadequate for explaining the rapid and uniform language acquisition in children, suggesting the existence of an innate language acquisition device (LAD).

Chomsky's position challenged behaviorist theories, which posited that language acquisition occurs solely through reinforcement and feedback mechanisms. His work suggested that there must be an inherent biological capability for language learning, greatly influencing the field of linguistics and supporting the theory of generative grammar.