On the relationship between Linguistics, Psycholinguistics and Cognitive Neuroscience in the light of the three-level hypothesis and minimalist assumptions

 

Leticia Maria Sicuro Correa

Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro

 

The role of Linguistics (the generative enterprise, in particular), psycholinguistics and cognitive neuroscience of language in the development of a theory of human cognition is characterized in relation to Marr´s three level approach to information processing systems – computational, algorithmic and implementational.  Relatively independent research at each level is expected to eventually converge into an integrated theory. Difficulties for such integration and major controversies are pointed out and it is argued that the minimalist program enables a closer relationship between main stream generative linguistics and psycholinguistics to be established. A model of on-line computation and a procedural model of grammar identification are briefly presented to illustrate this point. Perspectives for further integration between computational/functional models and brain implementation are considered with a particular focus on SLI (Specific Language Impairment).

 

 

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