Syntax as a Window into the Human Mind (for non-linguists)

Abstract: In the following list, I outline the picture that I have developed in over forty years of studying natural language syntax, the mental system that allows us to combine words and phrases into larger phrases. This presentation is meant to be completely accessible to an interested non-linguist.

1. Natural language syntax is a direct window into the human mind.

2. Understanding human thought requires understanding natural language syntax.

3. As seen in language after language, the universal concepts of human thought include such categories as: animacy, quantity, time, discourse roles, modality, aspect, semantic roles, information structure, speech acts, polarity, logic relations, spatial orientation, evidentiality, familiarity, possession, comparison, and causation.

4. The universal concepts are the basic ingredients out of which our thoughts are constructed.

5. The universal concepts often show up as individual words in different languages.

6. Natural language syntax is a combinatorial system. Its essence is the ability to combine words into phrases, and phrases into larger ones. 

7. The basic combinatorial operation that combines words and phrases is called Merge, for example, taking the words ‘the’ and ‘dog’ and putting them together into the larger phrase [the dog]. On this model, words are like Lego blocks, and Merge is the mechanism that snaps them together to form larger structures. 

8. The name given to the combinatorial system, including Merge, is Universal Grammar.

9. Each sentence formed is rich with hidden structure.

10. The hidden structure is a direct result of the combinatorial system of human language.

11. This structure includes hidden hierarchical layers, subtle dependencies between words and phrases, and unspoken, implicit information.

12. The hidden structure of a sentence directly reflects the depth and richness of a particular thought. By understanding natural language syntax, we understand one aspect of human thought.