Although languages have been studied and described in some manner as far back as they have been spoken, the “scientific” or “explanatory” study of language (modern linguistics) dates only from the second half of the last century. That said, even the most ardent linguist would be forced to admit that, to date, no truly complete grammar of a natural language, as modern linguistics defines those terms, has been produced. Competing theories of grammatical explication and approach have been many and varied, with disagreements even as to first principles, yet none has succeeded in the primary task set before the linguist: the creation of a complete and integrated grammar (syntax, morphology, semantics) of a language. It will be herein submitted that an inquiry into the analytic properties (and premises) of a dualistic approach to cognition and scientific description may help reveal why positive results in this enterprise have remained elusive, and how elements of philosophy, chemistry, and physics may be meaningfully reflected in the workings of any complete grammar.

Prior to receiving his Ph.D. from the University of Hawaii (UH) Linguistics department in 1984, Gregg had spent much of his time in the UH Indo-Pacific Languages department, where he studied Chinese, Japanese, Burmese, Thai, Khmer, Tibetan, Sanskrit, Pali, Hawaiian, and even Arabic. Upon graduation, he embarked on a long and tortuous road as an attorney, first in Chicago and finally returning to Honolulu in 1990. During that 40 year odyssey-like detour in the legal world, he nevertheless continued his studies in Sino-Tibetan historical-comparative linguistics, and also developed an interest in the interface between law and language: specifically, a comparative study of how cultures derive their legal systems from sacred texts. Currently teaching an introductory course in Classical Tibetan at UH within the Department of Religions and Ancient Civilizations, he has also broadened his investigations into the comparative syntax of modern Tibeto-Burman languages, particularly those using arrays of copular verbs to express tense, aspect, mood, and evidentiality.

Dr. Gregg Kinkley - "The Science of Grammar and Dualism: Is Grammar Empty?"

Rangjung Yeshe Institute (RYI) has conducted study programs in Nepal for more than 25 years. Since 2002 RYI has partnered with Kathmandu University offering academic credit for those study programs. In 2009 RYI launched its online learning program. Our aim is to utilise our expertise and experience to enable students from around the world to study Buddhism and Himalayan Languages with us.

New tracks tagged #ScienceOfGrammer