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In this paper, we discuss, based on Wright (1973), certain details that deserve to be taken into consideration when we want to talk about function in the field of the evolutionary biology. More specifically, we try to accommodate the etiological approach of function proposed by the biology philosopher Larry Wright to the thesis of the linguist Noam Chomsky and collaborators on the nature and evolution of the Faculty of Language (FL) in the human species, based on the assumption that its natural function is not communication. Along with Chomsky, we argue that communication should be more appropriately understood as a byproduct, that is, an accidental activity/ behavior related to our FL, rather than its natural function properly. We understand that the function of the FL is primarily internal to the mind, and that the externalization of thought for communication purposes is ancillary. Based on this understanding, the focus of our argumentation is on the idea that an event in the future cannot have causal efficacy on an event that precedes it, so that any functional explanation for FL that equates the linguistic capacity with communication will be incorrect. Our discussion reinforces Chomsky's understanding that FL's function is to enable us to construct infinite combinations of hierarchically structured symbols, in the form of which Chomsky argues to be a sophisticated and unique system of thought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

En el presente trabajo se compara la capacidad para explicar los fenómenos de interferencia sintáctica del Programa Minimalista y la teoría de redes relacionales-gramática de construcciones, teniendo en cuenta tanto los aspectos teóricos y formales, así como datos empíricos. Los resultados muestran que, en términos generales, el programa minimalista tiene falencias notables en el campo de la adquisición de la sintaxis de una segunda lengua y no puede explicar los fenómenos de interferencia sintáctica. Por otro lado, la integración de la teoría de redes relacionales y la gramática de construcciones ofrece una alternativa plausible para explicar la interferencia sintáctica.This paper looks at the explanatory adequacy concerning interference phenomena in second language acquisition of the Minimalist Program and the Relational Network Theory-Construction Grammar. Both, formal and theoretical aspects of these theories, as well as empirical data were taken in account. Results show that the Minimalist Program can’t fully explain how the acquisition of a second language syntax works, nor the Interference Phenomena present in the process. On the other hand, the joint use of Relational Network Theory and CG offers a good and plausible alternative for explaining Interference Phenomena.

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Este artículo presenta de manera sucinta el enfoque llamado 'biolingüístico' que empezó a desarrollarse en los primeros años de la posguerra, teniendo en cuenta los avances de la biología y las matemáticas. Se pasa revista a algunos postulados de la neurociencia (i.e. ciencia cognitiva) en lo concerniente a la 'facultad del lenguaje', así como a los dos últimos modelos de la GG: el modelo de 'Principios y Parámetros' (P&P) y el modelo 'Minimalista'. Estos últimos buscan responder las cuestiones fundamentales de la biología del lenguaje, su naturaleza, uso y evolución. Desde este punto de vista, se trata de caracterizar el equipamiento biológico gracias al cual los seres humanos adquieren una gramática. Así las cosas, se considera el equipamiento biológico como una función que asocia experiencia y gramática.This paper depicts a brief account of the so-called ´biolinguistic´ approach which dates back to the first postwar years, by taking into account progress in biology and mathematics. Some postulates of neuroscience (i.e. cognitive science) regarding the ´faculty of language´ as well as the last two models of GG: the ´Principles and Parameters´ (P&P) and the ´Minimalist´ models are reviewed. The latter aim to provide answers to key questions on the biology of language, its nature, its use, and its evolution. From this standpoint it has been attempted to characterize the biological endowment which allows human beings to acquire a grammar. Thus the biological endowment is seen as a function relating experience to grammar.

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various reports within the issue on topics including the evolution of languages, the role of biolinguistics in biological and linguistic research, and research in the field of neuroscience, neology and neurophysiology.

Copyright of Alfa: Revista de Lingüística is the property of Alfa: Revista de Linguistica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)