New Books Network

Ryan M. Nefdt, "The Philosophy of Theoretical Linguistics: A Contemporary Outlook" (Cambridge UP, 2024)

Apr 10, 2025

In this engaging discussion, Ryan M. Nefdt, a philosophy professor at the University of Cape Town and author of "The Philosophy of Theoretical Linguistics," dives into the fascinating intersection of language and philosophy. He explores the 'Goldilocks zone' of theoretical issues in linguistics, scrutinizing the roles of syntax, semantics, and social context. Nefdt also shares insights from his journey, the evolution of language, and the impact of predictive models in linguistic theory, all while bridging the gap between human communication and artificial intelligence.

01:07:56

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Ryan M. Nefdt

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Quick takeaways

Ryan Nefdt highlights the 'Goldilocks zone' in theoretical linguistics where specific language study intersects with overarching philosophical inquiries.

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The relationship between linguistics and artificial intelligence is evolving, emphasizing predictive capabilities and their impact on language and communication.

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Intro

3min

Journey into Theoretical Linguistics

10min

Exploring Syntax and Semantics in Theoretical Linguistics

24min

Exploring the Intersection of Semantics and Pragmatics

3min

The Evolution of Language: Debates and Theories

12min

The Role of Prediction in Linguistic Theory

3min

Language, Thought, and Technology

6min

Exploring Context and Language Models in Theoretical Linguistics

3min

Between the study of specific languages and the philosophy of language lies what Ryan Nefdt calls a “Goldilocks zone” of theoretical issues related to language. In The Philosophy of Theoretical Linguistics (Cambridge University Press, 2024), Nefdt introduces and explores the elements in this zone, including different theories of syntax, semantics, and pragmatics, and differing views of how language evolved, which languages are possible, and what defines language. Nefdt, a professor of philosophy at the University of Cape Town, shows where dominant linguistic theories, such as Chomskian syntactic theory and truth-conditional semantics, fit in a generalized framework where a key theoretical dimension is the role of social context.

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