Biolinguistics Journal

24/07/2024

🆕📰New paper in BIOLINGUISTICS Journal by Chenchen Song:

"On Hilbert’s Epsilon Operator in FormSequence"

Read/download here for free ( ): https://doi.org/10.5964/bioling.14061

Abstract: This paper examines Chomsky’s recently proposed and abandoned FormSequence operation and presents a middle-ground implementation of it in a way that conforms to the Strong Minimalist Thesis. Special attention is paid to the role of Hilbert’s epsilon (ϵ) operator in this operation. I argue that while the ϵ-operator can give FormSequence its desired effect, the sequence-choosing mechanism should more adequately be attributed to the cognitive-computational context (mainly the interfaces) instead of Narrow Syntax. In other words, FormSequence is not entirely syntactic in nature but only partly so. I implement its syntactic part as repeated Pair Merge of a coordinator with a number of conjuncts, which yields a partially ordered set as output instead of a sequence. This implementation reconciles FormSequence with the Strong Minimalist Thesis and maintains a purely hierarchical syntactic module of human language. Furthermore, I compare the use of the ϵ-operator in FormSequence and its more established use in formal semantics and eventually promote a domain-general perspective on the fundamental cognitive procedure of sequence formation.

21/06/2024

🆕📘 New book review by Elly van Gelderen just published in BIOLINGUISTICS Journal:

"Review of Merge and the Strong Minimalist Thesis (Chomsky et al., 2023)"

Read/download here for free ( ): https://doi.org/10.5964/bioling.14525

26/04/2024

🆕📰We just published a new Forum contribution by Axel G. Ekström:

"A Theory That Never Was: Wrong Way to the 'Dawn of Speech'"

Read/download here for free: https://doi.org/10.5964/bioling.14285 ( )

Abstract: Recent literature argues that a purportedly long-standing theory—so-called “laryngeal descent theory”—in speech evolution has been refuted (Boë et al., 2019, https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aaw3916). However, an investigation into the relevant source material reveals that the theory described has never been a prominent line of thinking in speech-centric sciences. The confusion arises from a fundamental misunderstanding: the argument that the descent of the larynx and the accompanying changes in the hominin vocal tract expanded the range of possible speech sounds for human ancestors (a theory that enjoys wide interdisciplinary support) is mistakenly interpreted as a belief that all speech was impossible without such changes—a notion that was never widely endorsed in relevant literature. This work aims not to stir controversy but to highlight important historical context in the study of speech evolution.

08/02/2024

The first paper in BIOLINGUISTICS Journal in 2024 has just been published: "Uniformity and Diversity of Language in an Evolutionary Context" by Stefanie Bode.

Abstract: The paper explores a view on language that is in line with the Strong Minimalist Thesis and that derives an evolutionary scenario predicting language variation in time and space. A stable and uniform UG making available recursive Merge shaped by laws of nature such as simplicity and efficiency has been integrated by a sudden rewiring of the brain into an existing biological system which is comparable to the concept of the faculty of language in the broad sense. The basic oppositions such as symmetry and asymmetry, internal language/thought and externalization, uniformity and diversity, universality and particular languages are derived as an automatic consequence of the architecture of the grammar as it evolved in the human species in concert with general principles of nature. A stable and simple system can be reconciled with a dynamic complex one.

Read/download here for free: https://doi.org/10.5964/bioling.12823

22/12/2023

When the year is coming to an end, so is another volume of BIOLINGUISTICS Journal. The Editorial Team takes this as an opportunity to reflect on the journal’s performance and discuss current and future issues.

Read/Download the end-of-year notice here: https://doi.org/10.5964/bioling.13537

Happy holidays and a happy to new year to our readers and authors from the team at BIOLINGUISTICS Journal!🎄🎇🥳

15/12/2023

🆕📰 The last paper for this year has just been published in BIOLINGUISTICS Journal!

Roni Katzir explains "Why Large Language Models Are Poor Theories of Human Linguistic Cognition: A Reply to Piantadosi"

Abstract: In a recent manuscript entitled “Modern language models refute Chomsky’s approach to language”, Steven Piantadosi proposes that large language models such as GPT-3 can serve as serious theories of human linguistic cognition. In fact, he maintains that these models are significantly better linguistic theories than proposals emerging from within generative linguistics. The present note explains why this claim is wrong.

Read/download here for free: https://doi.org/10.5964/bioling.13153

06/12/2023

🆕📰New paper by Daiki Matsumoto out now in
BIOLINGUISTICS Journal: "Social and : Bridging the Gap Between Formal Linguistic Theories and Evolution Research"

Read/download here for free: https://doi.org/10.5964/bioling.12787

31/10/2023

🆕📖🔍New out in Biolinguistics Journal: Elliot Murphy discusses N. Mukherji's 2022 book "The human mind through the lens of language: Generative explorations"

Read/download here for free ( ): https://doi.org/10.5964/bioling.13067

25/10/2023

New Forum contribution: A response to Watumull and Roberts (2023) by Hans-Martin Gärtner "Eademne Sunt?"

Read/Download here for free ( ): https://doi.org/10.5964/bioling.12859

12/10/2023

🆕📰 New paper by Koji Hoshi just published in BIOLINGUISTICS Journal:

"Reconceptualizing Merge in Search for the Link With Brain Oscillatory Nature of Language in Biolinguistics"

Read/Download here for free ( ): https://doi.org/10.5964/bioling.12651

Abstract:

This brief piece argues that it is desirable to reconceptualize the syntactic combinatorial mechanism Merge as a higher-order function that takes two functions (= a selector function and its ‘argument’ function) and yields a composite function in the context of I-language. On this functional characterization of Merge, all of the elements involved in Merge are conceived as functions as well: lexical items (LIs) as input of Merge and syntactic objects (SOs) as both input and output of Merge. It is claimed that this perspective of Merge is a bridging step toward further facilitating the mesoscopic-level (= dynome-level) investigation of the brain oscillatory nature of human language in the field of biolinguistics. In this framework, I make the case that it would be possible to analyze the brain oscillatory nature of Merge by appealing to the mathematical operation of the Fourier transform (FT) to the extent that Merge-related brain oscillations as physical waves can be captured by complex exponential functions/trigonometric functions in the temporal domain.

09/10/2023

REFLECTIONS: FOUNDATIONS AND DEVELOPMENTS OF GENERATIVE GRAMMAR

Lydia Grebenyova and Kleanthes Grohmann are announcing a new online talk series. Check it out and register to participate! Hope to see many of you there.

Welcome to our online talk series!

06/09/2023

🆕 New Forum contribution by Dieter G. Hillert and Koji Fujita just published in BIOLINGUISTICS Journal:

"Pragmatic Grammar in Genus Homo"

Read/download here for free ( ): https://doi.org/10.5964/bioling.11911

Abstract: The question of how humans got language is crucial for understanding the uniqueness of the human mind and the cognitive resources and processes shared with nonhuman species. We discuss the origin of symbolic elements in hominins and how a pragmatic grammar emerged from action-based event-structures. In the context of comparative neurobiological findings, we report support for the global workspace hypothesis and social brain hypothesis. In addition, reverse linguistic analysis informs us about the particular role of a pragmatic grammar stage. We assume that this stage was associated with changes to the hominin genotype. Homo erectus may have used a pragmatic grammar which consisted of two or three symbolic elements. Extended syntax and morphology, including hierarchical branching, are not based on genotype changes but may reflect cultural accumulations related to socioecological adaptations. We conclude that the biological capacity for language may have emerged already 1.8 million years ago with the appearance of genus Homo.

11/08/2023

Jeffrey Watumull and Ian Roberts have just published a

"Rebuttal to "Merge Is Not 'Lerge'".

Read and download it here for free ( ): https://doi.org/10.5964/bioling.12393

21/12/2022

Happy holidays and new year from BIOLINGUISTICS Journal
! 🥳🎉🎆

2022, is slowly coming to an end and our Editorial Team has just posted the End-of-Year Notice outlining this year's major changes and achievements for the journal.

Read/Download here: https://doi.org/10.5964/bioling.10823 ( )

Biolinguistics End-of-Year Notice 2022 Authors Kleanthes K. Grohmann Department of English Studies, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus Maria Kambanaros Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus Evelina Leivada Department of English and German Studies...

21/12/2022

🆕📰The last new paper for this issue of BIOLINGUISTICS Journal and year is out: "The Strong Minimalist Thesis Is too Strong: Syntax Is More Than Just Merge" by Deniz Satık (Harvard Linguistics).

Read/download here for free ( ): https://doi.org/10.5964/bioling.9861

Abstract: This paper raises specific puzzles for the Strong Minimalist Thesis (SMT) based on certain crosslinguistic patterns. I do so by pointing out that the SMT entails two undesirable consequences: first, the SMT assumes that the Borer-Chomsky Conjecture is true; in other words, that all syntactic variation across languages is due to lexical differences. Second, it assumes that there can be no ordering restrictions on Merge, because they would imply the existence of an independent linguistically proprietary entity. I first present crosslinguistic evidence from case and agreement that the Borer-Chomsky Conjecture alone is not sufficient to account for syntactic variation. I then present evidence for the existence of ordering restrictions on Merge, based on a cartographic distinction between high and low complementizers. I argue that both of these patterns are purely syntactic, in that they are independent of Merge. I conclude that these independent problems raise puzzles for saltationist theories of language evolution.

14/05/2022

The LINGUIST List issue 33.1722, topic: Calls, title: Calls: General Linguistics, Linguistic Theories, Psycholinguistics, Neurolinguistics, Cognitive Science, Anthropological Linguistics / Biolinguistics (Jrnl)

03/05/2022

Our system has successfully been migrated to PsychOpen (https://www.psychopen.eu)! 🥳 We're already accepting submissions in the new system: https://bioling.psychopen.eu

Note: Currently, using the "old" URL http://biolinguistics.eu will give a HTTP error, but this will soon be fixed and both URLs can be used in the future!

The journal BIOLINGUISTICS is a peer-reviewed journal exploring theoretical linguistics that takes the biological foundations of human language seriously. The Advisory Board and the Editorial Board are made up of leading scholars from all continents in the fields of theoretical linguistics, language...

28/12/2021

New Review out in Biolinguistics: "Was Syntax Borrowed from Toolmaking?" Ljiljana Progovac reviews "From Signal to Symbol: The Evolution of Language" by Ronald J. Planer & Kim Sterelny. Read now ( ): https://biolinguistics.eu/index.php/biolinguistics/article/view/1057

06/09/2021

New BIOLINGUISTICS Forum contribution by Edward Ruoyang Shi & Elizabeth Qing Zhang out now:

🗣 "Subcortical Contributions to the Uniqueness of Human Cognition: A Commentary on Laland & Seed (2021)"

➡️ Read & download the PDF here for free ( ): https://biolinguistics.eu/index.php/biolinguistics/article/view/976

26/05/2021

The LINGUIST List issue 32.1837, topic: Calls, title: Calls: General Linguistics, Linguistic Theories, Psycholinguistics, Neurolinguistics, Cognitive Science, Language Acquisition / Biolinguistics (Jrnl)

25/05/2021

🗣CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: BIOLINGUISTICS Journal publishes empirical and theoretical work by theoretically minded , linguistically minded , in general, and anyone else interested in the scientific study of . We accept submissions all year round.

💰We are a community-run platinum journal and do not charge any article processing charges ( )! That is, submission (and publication) is !

📄Details on our policy: https://t.co/HCsFcWfss3?amp=1

📜Submit your manuscript now: https://t.co/zI0o5c4QqW?amp=1 (we support format-free intial submission: https://www.biolinguistics.eu/index.php/biolinguistics/about/submissions -free-submission)