Graduate Student Organization - Stony Brook

Talk 3: Number in Language and Natural Numbers
Wang Center, Lecture Hall 2, March7, 3:30pm

In this talk, I examine the relation between natural numbers and the role that number plays in syntax. I propose that in addition to the familiar singular-plural distinction, the notion of the successor takes part in subject-verb agreement and that this notion is closely tied to the distribution of numerals. And then I consider evolutionary and developmental implications of these proposals in light of Chomsky’s (to appear) recent proposal that the operation of Merge responsible for phrase structure also makes possible the natural number system.

References

Bloom, P. (2000) How Children Learn the Meanings of Words. MIT Press. (Chapter 9)
Chomsky, N. (to appear) “On phases,” in Foundational Issues in Linguistic Theory, Freidin, Otero & Zubizarreta, eds., MIT Press.
Feigenson, L., S. Dehaene, & E. Spelke (2004) “Core systems of number,” Trends in Cognitive Sciences 8, 307-314.
Harbour, D. (2003) Elements of Number Theory. MIT dissertation. (Chapter 3, §3.1)
Le Corre, M. & S. Carey (2007) “One, two, three, four, nothing more: An investigation of the conceptual sources of the verbal counting principles,” Cognition 105, 395-438.
Le Corre, M., G. Van de Walle, E. M. Brannon, & S. Carey (2006) “Re-visiting the competence/performance debate in the acquisition of the counting principles,” Cognitive Psychology 52, 130-169.