LINGUIST List 17.1352

Tue May 02 2006

Disc: Recursion; Research Standards for Promotion/Tenure

Editor for this issue: Ann Sawyer <sawyerlinguistlist.org>

Directory         1.    Oren Sadeh Leicht, Problems with Recent Proposals on Recursion & FLN
         2.    Regina Morin, Reasonable Research Standards
Message 1: Problems with Recent Proposals on Recursion & FLN
Date: 01-May-2006
From: Oren Sadeh Leicht <oren.sadehleichtlet.uu.nl>
Subject: Problems with Recent Proposals on Recursion & FLN


I think saying that the claim of recursion being a single essential traitof human language has no content confuses a few points.

Human language, under Chomsky's view (and I guess Hauser and Fitch, too),is regarded as a mental state, part of the human mind, or I-language.Recursion is a property of human minds, not necessarily found in (E-)languages.

Thus it is perfectly logical to assert that a language may lack recursion.It may still be learned (perhaps badly) by recursion which is in the mindof humans beings, but not in the langauge itself.


Linguistic Field(s): Philosophy of Language


Message 2: Reasonable Research Standards
Date: 26-Apr-2006
From: Regina Morin <rmorintcnj.edu>
Subject: Reasonable Research Standards


My College is currently in the process of writing Disciplinary Standardsfor reappointment, tenure and promotion. I have not been able to findanywhere in writing what are generally considered reasonable expectationsfor research (conferences and publications) for different types ofinstitutions. Specifically, my questions are:1. What rate of publication (1 article a year, 2, more? A book?) isconsidered reasonable at a Class I research institution, with a 1/1, 1/2,2/2 teaching load of mostly graduate courses?2. What rate of publication (1 article a year, 2, more? A book?) isconsidered reasonable at a liberal arts college with a 3/3 or 4/4 teachingload of exclusively undergraduate courses, with advising and otherstudent-related responsibilities?3. Do expectations vary widely depending on the particular subfield oflinguistics?4. What constitutes a normal rejection rate for a first or second tierlinguistics journal?5. Do publications in refereed selected linguistics conference proceedingsgenerally carry as much weight as publications in refereed journals?

I would be happy to post a summary of any responses received. Thank you.


Linguistic Field(s): Not Applicable