Philosophical Grammar 138

138. Grammar consists in conventions – say in a chart. This might be part of a mechanism. But it is connection and not the effect that determines the meaning.

Can one speak of grammar in the case where a language is taught to a person by mere drill?

the ‘connection’ of grammar to language – is that of proposal to proposal

you can see language as presented in a theory of grammar –

but this is just one option

language can be viewed in any number of ways –

grammar is just one proposal –

as for meaning – the same applies –

any ‘determination’ of meaning – is open to question – to doubt

meaning is uncertain

‘Can one speak of grammar in the case where a language is taught to a person by mere drill?’

I would think not –

but then the question – what is being taught here by mere drill?

how could it be language use?

‘mere drill’ teaches ignorance

language use requires a flexible intelligence –

and that ability is not fostered by rote learning –

in fact learning by rote is the complete antithesis to learning how to use language –

learning how to use language – is not leaning mindless drill –

it is learning to deal with uncertainty 

© greg t. charlton. 2015.