Towards Katz's realist linguistics
DOI
https://doi.org/10.25267/Pragmalinguistica.2017.i25.25Info
Authors
- Ana Clara Polakof (BR) Pontifícia Universidade Católica- Rio de Janeiro
Abstract
This paper presents and defends the realist linguistics proposed by Katz. He considers linguistics as a formal science, as a part of mathematics, and as a science that deals with abstract objects, which are the natural languages. It is, then, a realist (Platonist) proposal because it argues that abstract objects are real, although they are not the same as concrete objects such as cats and tables. Katz's proposal has not been embraced in linguistics, probably because it sounds weird from a linguistic point of view. We argue, however, that it should be taken seriously. It may not be the best possible theory, but it presents itself as an interesting option. This paper seeks to show what Katz's proposal is, what some of its problems and limitations are, and how considering it seriously helps us to think about natural languages in a very different manner.
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