The Twitter Machine
Reflections on Language
1. Auflage September 1989
284 Seiten, Softcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
This unique book provides an introductory overview of modern
theoretical linguistics which manages to be both accessible and
humorous without sacrificing either scholarship of insight.
In a series of magisterial vignettes Smith emphasizes the
perennial necessity of appealing to linguistic theory if we are to
gain any real understanding of the phenomena of language.
However profound or however trivial the questions we raise and
try answer - What exactly does one have to know to count as a
speaker of a language? What would it mean for a language to have no
vowels? Why do little children call lorries 'lollies'? Precisely
what with this sentence is wrong? - we need to recourse to a theory
even to make them coherent. In particular, the author argues that
we can find solutions to our puzzles, and explanations for these
phenomena, if we exploit on the one hand Chomsky's theory of
Generative Grammar, and on the other Sperber and Wilson's theory of
Relevance.
1. Introduction.
2. Why Theory?.
3. Grammar and Gravity.
4. The Puzzle Puzzle.
5. Quails and Oysters.
6. The Oats have eaten the Horses.
7. Wilt Thou have this Man to thy wedded Wife?.
8. Must and the Randy Pachyderm.
9. Y.
10. Time and Tense.
11. Lellow Lollies.
12. Data, Evidence and the Theory Change.
13. Annie's Botty-wotty.
14. In my language we SHOUT.
15. Clive.
16. The Numbers Game.
17. Useless Grammar.
18. Linguistics as a Religion.
19. A Seditious Chameleon.
Appendix.
Glossary.
Bibliography.
Index.
