data (n.)

A term used in its general sense in LINGUISTICS, referring to the phenomena which constitute the subject-matter of enquiry – what has been variously identified in terms of linguistic ‘behavior’, ‘knowledge’, ‘abilities’, ‘processes’, etc. – and any associated observations and inferences which linguists make as they go about their business. There have, however, been two distinct views concerning the nature of this subject-matter, which are usually seen in opposition to each other. The traditional conception of linguistic data is limited to the observable patterns of speech and writing, especially when recorded and gathered together in a CORPUS; GENERATIVE linguistic theory, on the other hand, goes beyond this, including as part of the raw data for analysis the language user’s judgements (INTUITIONS) about the language. Much controversy has been generated by these opposed views (which are related to the more basic divergences between BEHAVIORIST and MENTALIST philosophies), and the issue is still prominent, criticisms being made of the limited reliability and generality of observable data, and of the uncertain verifiability and objectivity of mentalistic data, as evidence of linguistic SYSTEM. In language ACQUISITION, the term ‘primary linguistic data’ refers to the language input to the child, deriving from parents, siblings, etc.