TY - JOUR
T1 - Modularity of language reconsidered
AU - Levy, Yonata
PY - 1996/11
Y1 - 1996/11
N2 - This paper focuses on claims for the modularity of language that have been voiced within the field of cognitive developmental disorders. It will be argued that, whereas there is sound empirical support for 'little' modularity, i.e., the internal modularity of the grammar, the cases that have been brought up in the literature do not, in fact, provide support for 'Big' Modularity, i.e., the Modularity of the language faculty. The cases discussed are children with William's Syndrome and the retarded individuals studied by Cromer (1993), Curtiss (1979, 1988), Rondal (1993), Smith and Tsimpli (1995), and Yamada (1990). Rather then making the case for Modularity, it is suggested that these individuals' liguistic performance can best be described in terms of uniquely preserved accessing privileges for language which enable them to reach levels of performance that they cannot reach through other modalities.
AB - This paper focuses on claims for the modularity of language that have been voiced within the field of cognitive developmental disorders. It will be argued that, whereas there is sound empirical support for 'little' modularity, i.e., the internal modularity of the grammar, the cases that have been brought up in the literature do not, in fact, provide support for 'Big' Modularity, i.e., the Modularity of the language faculty. The cases discussed are children with William's Syndrome and the retarded individuals studied by Cromer (1993), Curtiss (1979, 1988), Rondal (1993), Smith and Tsimpli (1995), and Yamada (1990). Rather then making the case for Modularity, it is suggested that these individuals' liguistic performance can best be described in terms of uniquely preserved accessing privileges for language which enable them to reach levels of performance that they cannot reach through other modalities.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0030297276&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1006/brln.1996.0103
DO - 10.1006/brln.1996.0103
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C2 - 8939303
AN - SCOPUS:0030297276
SN - 0093-934X
VL - 55
SP - 240
EP - 263
JO - Brain and Language
JF - Brain and Language
IS - 2
ER -