In this lecture we more narrowly define what we mean when we talk about language or a language. We introduce the terms I-language and E-language to differentiate between the internalist position that goes hand in hand with our quest for understanding Knowledge of Language as a property of human minds from the common externalist position that is often found in informal discourse about languages in the sense of English, German, Welsh, Warlpiri etc. as entities in their own right independent of speakers. We conclude by discussing some common corollary positions on issues such as nativism vs empiricism and competence vs performance that frequently go along with assuming an I- or E-language perspective.
Slides and handouts: ling101.com/plin0048/
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:30 A personal anecdote
03:23 I-language
09:24 E-language
13:50 I-language versus E-language
20:48 Common I- and E-corollaries
30:35 Summary