Quote:
Originally Posted by Casiopea  Maybe it would be best at this point if you defined your terms, and explained what it is exactly that you think the hypothesis means and how it applies to the previous discussion, the one that spun this discussion, English grammar rules, worldwide? |
I believe I have already changed the thread to dicuss linguistic theories about grammar, and this subject derived from the previous thread. So, why ask?
I don't know if I am so interested about your expertise in Linguistics or in this particular theory (or hypothesis). I have maybe not a full, but a fairly good understanding of linguistic theories in general, not only in this one. But I am here to learn even more. My M.A. research was conducted in the field of Linguistics. I was only asking about your definition of a theory as opposed to hypothesis, since I provided Wikipedia's definition - which is mine,too. I got an elaborate description of smth else instead. Again: theory and hypothesis are often used interchangeably. The theory of relativity is also a hypothesis. I can give you lots of details about how some other established theories (such as Chomsky's) are still widely disputed and controversial although world famous.
As to researchers disagreeing among themselves, this is a well-known fact. Nobody disagrees with you...
I believe I originally wanted to have a constructive discussion about grammar and language, not about what's right or wrong - because anyway nobody knows the truth. So, I guess there's not much left for me to say here. I certainly don't like this kind of talk. Everyone is free to disagree, but by backing up their claims with evidence
alone, not with insinuations or personal attacks.
bianca