两种模块化观点

Two Notions of Modularity

1984年,乔姆斯基发表了纲领性文章“心智研究的模块论”。三十五年后,乔姆斯基重新诠释心智模块论这一经典议题。本文讨论的两种模块化观点表现为两种语言研究方法及其两种心智过程:福多提出的作为解析系统的输入模块和乔姆斯基提出的作为内在认知系统的中央模块。文章认为,中央模块作为内在生成I-语言的习得式模块,为心智思想提供句法构建和语义表达手段,辅之以外在化操作来反映感觉运动界面的特性。中央模块与福多的“奎因式和各向同性式”中央系统之间只是表象的矛盾。“语法理论的确认与否”原则上依赖各种证据,但不会与语言习得的操作相混淆。

In 1984, Chomsky published the programmatic paper "Modular Approaches to the Study of the Mind". Thirty-five years later, Chomsky reillustrates the classic topic of mind modularity. The two modularity ideas discussed in this paper exhibit two different ways of language researching and two related mental processes: input modules as a parsing system proposed by Fodor and central modules as an internal cognitive system proposed by Chomsky. The paper states that as an acquisition-based module to internally generate I-language, central modules provide the mental thought with the means for syntactic construction and semantic interpretation, with ancillary operations of externalization reflecting properties of the sensorimotor system. The contradiction between central modules and Fodor’s"Quinean and isotropic"central system is only apparent."The(dis) confirmation of grammaticaltheory"relies on any evidence in principle, and will not be confused with the operations of language acquisition.