Chapter published in:
Normativity in Language and Linguistics
Edited by Aleksi Mäkilähde, Ville Leppänen and Esa Itkonen
[Studies in Language Companion Series 209] 2019
► pp. 29–67

Concerning the scope of normativity

Wherever a mistake can be made, there is a corresponding norm. Normativity is divided into correctness and rationality. These two dimensions are independent of each other, as shown by the fact that rational actions can be performed by speaking incorrectly, and irrational actions can be performed by speaking correctly. The aim of this chapter is to discuss the scope of both aspects of normativity. The main focus is on the pervasiveness of normativity in linguistics, exemplified here in particular through linguistic semantics and the use of explanations in the field of ‘causal’ linguistics (e.g. psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics, diachronic linguistics). In addition, it is shown that normativity permeates such broader areas as scientific activity in general as well as our everyday lives.
Keywords: philosophy of linguistics, methodology, semantics, truth, belief, reasoning, rationality, causality, explanation, normativity, norms
Published online: 04 December 2019
https://doi.org/10.1075/slcs.209.02itk
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