Routledge Dictionary of Language and Linguistics.pdf

Dictionary of language and linguistics 670level I affixlexical phonologylevel II affixlexical phonologylevelinganalogylevels of adequacyThe criterion developed by N.Chomsky for evaluating grammatical descriptions ofnatural languages. There are three distinct levels: observational adequacy, descriptiveadequacy, and explanatory adequacy. Observational adequacy describes those grammarswhich present the primary linguistic data correctly and completely. A grammar isdescriptively adequate if it accounts for the intuitions and competence ( competencevs performance) of the speaker regarding the regularity and rules of the language. Thecomprehensive requirements for explanatory adequacy are met if the grammaticaldescription is handled in accord with a linguistic theory which specifies linguisticuniversals ( universal grammar) and also supports a theory of language acquisition.Such a theory provides the basis on which the most adequate explanatory grammar can bechosen from several descriptively adequate grammars.ReferencesChomsky, N. 1964. Current issues in linguistic theory. The Hague.——1965. Aspects of the theory of syntax. Cambridge. MA.Kimball, J.P. 1973. The formal theory of grammar. Englewood Cliffs, NJ.Lepore, E. 1979. The problem of adequacy in linguistics. TL 6. 162–72.lexeme [combined from lexicon+eme]Basic abstract unit of the lexicon 2 on the level of langue ( langue vs parole) whichmay be realized in different grammatical forms such as the lexeme write in writes, wrote,written. A lexeme may also be a part of another lexeme, e.g. writer, ghostwriter, etc. In