As a linguistics teacher I have a wide reading experience. The impression I get from some literature is that some linguists are scathing/ruthless towards others who hold different opinions or who are from other linguistic schools. My question is, must we do it in this way? Academic views may be different, but at least be kind to your follow linguists. Besides, no single linguistic theory can solve/ explain all the problems/phenomena of language, so every linguistic theory is feasible to some extent in explanation. Why can't we be more open-minded?
Dear Matthew,
I do not know the circles of linguists. I have had a little experience thus I think there are no conflicts among arguments (theories) but human – mainly personnel – interests cause the troubles.
In India where multiple languages exist, the states are divided based on languages. Each state has its own unique culture inherited and displayed with pride
Dear Matthew: I agree with András. Wars are stupid by nature. Any subject can give an argument for disputes. Unfortunately is not only a problem of linguistics.
Instead of warring, each group can learn other language and promote multi-lingual harmony. In India Multi-lingualism is encouraged.
India has 23 constitutionally recognized official languages. Hindi and English are the official languages used by the Central Government. State governments use respective official languages.
Even Political leaders display multi-lingual attitude and proficiency.
Conflicts on linguistic lines do not agree with wisdom, logic, and common sense if they include heated "arrogant" debates. No one can claim possessing the whole truth in linguistic concepts or principles. When one detects the "black & white" attitude in academic circles, there will be doubts about the competence of those engaging in these unreasonable wars.
hmmm nice discussion. I think sometimes war is necessary for peace. This conflict in argumentation can lead towards the research and advance exploration if taken positively not personal...
@Matthew, why must there be linguistic wars? Why must there be wars AT ALL? I think it's because it's easy to be negative, but it needs effort to be positive. It needs unselfishness to appreciate others, but it seems it needs little to tear people apart with harsh words. But at least on RG, some of us are different, preferring PEACE.
----- Language, Thought, and the Linguistics Wars -----
It's obvious!
See ....
Language and our thought-grooves are inextricably related, are, in a sense, one and the same. ---- Edward Sapir
Every utterance is deficient—it says less than it wishes to say. Every utterance is exuberant—it conveys more than it plans. ---- Jose Ortega y Gasset
http://www.cs.columbia.edu/~sbenus/Teaching/TheorLx/Harris_Linguistic_wars_Ch1-2.pdf
Dear Mr. Yu,
"no single linguistic theory can solve/ explain all the problems/phenomena of language"
I agree with you here. I also think that no single theory is a panacea in any field--not just only in language studies. So instead of being competitive and exclusive, I think attempts should be made to find how different camps may complement one another in order to enhance their explanatory capacity.
Best regards,
Cameen
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