Modularity and Constraints in Language and Cognition

In the meantime, however, probably what is most important about current developments are the developing attempt to look for particularity of structure and processing in central aspects of cognition outside of domains like grammar where these are better entrenched (although still being vigorously argued about). To this end, the chapters of this volume bring up important current evidence on the status of this quest in biology, word learning and symbol use, emotion, and in the older parts of language study itself. To the degree that this introduction gives some idea of the definitional-conceptual backdrop into which this work is now moving, it serves in helping to understand the goals, aims, and emerging preoccupations of the research in these domains.

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