•  11
    Shared semantics: Exploring the interface between human and chimpanzee gestural communication
    with Mathew Henderson, Patrick G. Grosz, Kirsty E. Graham, and Catherine Hobaiter
    Mind and Language. forthcoming.
    Striking similarities across ape gestural repertoires suggest shared phylogenetic origins that likely provided a foundation for the emergence of language. We pilot a novel approach for exploring possible semantic universals across human and nonhuman ape species. In a forced‐choice task, n = 300 participants watched 10 chimpanzee gesture forms performed by a human and chose from responses that paralleled inferred meanings for chimpanzee gestures. Participants agreed on a single meaning for nine g…Read more
  •  26
    Super Linguistics: an introduction
    Linguistics and Philosophy 46 (4): 627-692. 2023.
    We argue that formal linguistic theory, properly extended, can provide a unifying framework for diverse phenomena beyond traditional linguistic objects. We display applications to pictorial meanings, visual narratives, music, dance, animal communication, and, more abstractly, to logical and non-logical concepts in the ‘language of thought’ and reasoning. In many of these cases, a careful analysis reveals that classic linguistic notions are pervasive across these domains, such as for instance the…Read more
  •  168
    Steps towards a semantics of dance
    with Patrick Georg Grosz, Tejaswinee Kelkar, and Alexander Refsum Jensenius
    Journal of Semantics 39 (4). 2022.
    As formal theoretical linguistic methodology has matured, recent years have seen the advent of applying it to objects of study that transcend language, e.g., to the syntax and semantics of music (Lerdahl & Jackendoff 1983, Schlenker 2017a; see also Rebuschat et al. 2011). One of the aims of such extensions is to shed new light on how meaning is construed in a range of communicative systems. In this paper, we approach this goal by looking at narrative dance in the form of Bharatanatyam. We argue …Read more
  •  97
    The search for universal primate gestural meanings
    Proceedings of Sinn Und Bedeutung 27. forthcoming.
    This paper pursues the idea that human and non-human great apes share a common set of directive (imperative) gestures and their meanings. We investigate gestures that are multifunctional, in that they have different effects in different contexts, focusing on non-human ape gestures that communicate “Stop that” in some contexts, and “Move away” in others. What may superficially appear to be lexical ambiguity can be derived from a single abstract lexical entry, “Not X!”, concluded to be a candidate…Read more
  •  154
    Primate origins of discourse-managing gestures: the case of hand fling
    with Matthew Henderson, Patrick Georg Grosz, Kirsty Graham, and Catherine Hobaiter
    Linguistics Vanguard. 2023.
    The last decades have seen major advances in the study of gestures both in humans and non-human primates. In this paper, we seriously examine the idea that there may be gestural form types that are shared across great ape species, including humans, which may underlie gestural universals, both in form and meaning. We focus on one case study, the hand fling gesture common to chimpanzees and humans, and provide a semantic analysis of this gesture.
  •  233
    Super Linguistics: an introduction
    Linguistics and Philosophy Super Linguistics Special Issue. 2023.
    We argue that formal linguistic theory, properly extended, can provide a unifying framework for diverse phenomena beyond traditional linguistic objects. We display applications to pictorial meanings, visual narratives, music, dance, animal communication, and, more abstractly, to logical and non-logical concepts in the ‘language of thought’ and reasoning. In many of these cases, a careful analysis reveals that classic linguistic notions are pervasive across these domains, such as for instance the…Read more
  •  7
    Syntactic structures after 60 years. The impact of the chomskyan revolution in linguistics (edited book)
    with Norbert Hornstein, Howard Lasnik, and Charles Yang
    De Gruyter Mouton. 2018.
    This volume explores the continuing relevance of Syntactic Structures to contemporary research in generative syntax. The contributions examine the ideas that changed the way that syntax is studied and that still have a lasting effect on contemporary work in generative syntax. Topics include formal foundations, the syntax-semantics interface, the autonomy of syntax, methods of data analysis, and detailed discussions of the role of transformations. New commentary from Noam Chomsky is included.
  •  180
    Pronominal typology and the de se/de re distinction
    Linguistics and Philosophy 43 (5): 537-587. 2020.
    This paper investigates how regular pronominal typology interfaces with de se and de re interpretations, and highlights a correlation between strong pronouns and de re interpretations, and weak pronouns and de se interpretations. In order to illustrate this correlation, I contrast different pronominal forms within a single language, null versus overt pronouns in Kutchi Gujarati, and clitic versus full pronouns in Austrian Bavarian. I argue that the data presented here provide cross-linguistic co…Read more
  •  12
    Pronominal typology and the de se/de re distinction
    Linguistics and Philosophy 43 (5): 537-587. 2020.
    This paper investigates how regular pronominal typology interfaces with de se and de re interpretations, and highlights a correlation between strong pronouns and de re interpretations, and weak pronouns and de se interpretations. In order to illustrate this correlation, I contrast different pronominal forms within a single language, null versus overt pronouns in Kutchi Gujarati, and clitic versus full pronouns in Austrian Bavarian. I argue that the data presented here provide cross-linguistic co…Read more
  •  8
    Pronouns in Embedded Contexts at the Syntax-Semantics Interface (edited book)
    with Patrick Georg Grosz and Sarah Zobel
    Springer Verlag. 2017.
    This volume presents studies on pronouns in embedded contexts, and offers fundamental insights into this central area of research. Much of the recent research on pronouns has shown that embedded environments, such as clausal complements of attitude predicates, provide a window into the nature of pronouns. Pronouns in such environments not only exhibit familiar distinctions such as that between bound and referential pronouns; if they refer to the attitude holder, they also participate in a broade…Read more
  •  21
    Formal Models at the Core
    with Emmanuel Chemla, Isabelle Charnavel, Isabelle Dautriche, David Embick, Fred Lerdahl, David Poeppel, and Philippe Schlenker
    Cognitive Science 47 (3). 2023.
    The grammatical paradigm used to be a model for entire areas of cognitive science. Its primary tenet was that theories are axiomatic-like systems. A secondary tenet was that their predictions should be tested quickly and in great detail with introspective judgments. While the grammatical paradigm now often seems passé, we argue that in fact it continues to be as efficient as ever. Formal models are essential because they are explicit, highly predictive, and typically modular. They make numerous …Read more
  •  18
    Pronominal typology and the de se/de re distinction
    Linguistics and Philosophy 43 (5): 537-587. 2020.
    This paper investigates how regular pronominal typology interfaces with de se and de re interpretations, and highlights a correlation between strong pronouns and de re interpretations, and weak pronouns and de se interpretations. In order to illustrate this correlation, I contrast different pronominal forms within a single language, null versus overt pronouns in Kutchi Gujarati, and clitic versus full pronouns in Austrian Bavarian. I argue that the data presented here provide cross-linguistic co…Read more