Linguistics as a system of distinct types of ontology-cum-methodology

Esa Itkonen

pp. 431-441

in: Peter Grdenfors, Peter Gärdenfors, Jan Woleński, Katarzyna Kijania-Placek (eds), In the scope of logic, methodology and philosophy of science II, Berlin, Springer, 2002

Abstract

So far, there is practically no genuine philosophy of linguistics, in spite of the fact that the corresponding term exists. Those who presumably practice philosophy of linguistics do not consider linguistics as it really is, i.e. a system consisting of several subdisciplines each of which has its own ontology-cum-methodology. Instead, they concentrate on a couple of questions (like "What is language?" or "Is language innate?") and ignore everything else.