Pirahã Exceptionality: A Reassessment

摘要: Everett (2005) has claimed that the grammar of Piraha is exceptional in displaying "inexplicable gaps", these gaps follow from an alleged cultural principle restricting communication to "immediate experience", and this "severe" consequences for work on Universal Grammar. We argue against each claims. Relying available documentation descriptions language (especially rich material (1986; 1987b)), we many grammatical "gaps" supposedly characteristic are misanalyzed by neither nor among world's languages. find no evidence, example, lacks embedded clauses, fact strong syntactic semantic evidence favor their existence Piraha. Likewise, quantifiers, as (2005). Furthermore, most actual properties constructions discussed (for ban prenominal possessor recursion behavior wh-constructions) familiar languages whose speakers lack restrictions attributed Finally, following mostly Goncalves (1993; 2000; 2001), also question some empirical claims about culture advanced primary support experience" restriction. left with a causal relation between structure. contributes ongoing research into nature Grammar, but presents unusual challenge, much less one. (241 words) 1. How surprising grammar? In recent article Current Anthropology, (2005; henceforth CA) series general conclusions human language, reached consequence his investigations The focus Everett's discussion syntax lexicon "cultural constraint" which said be subject. spoken small community 1 living Maici River