Date:  Fri, 17 Dec 1993 10:59:19 CST

From:  salikoko mufwene <mufw[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]MIDWAY.UCHICAGO.EDU>

Subject: Re: modren metathesis



Thanks, Dennis. I have no objection to what you find objectionable in what

you quote from Chomsky. Unfortunately similar assumptions underlie

variationist studies, suggesting that each grammar avails only one rule per

function and when two or more rules compete with each other there must be

external influence. Chomsky's statement may reflect an assumption well

accepted by most linguists, which he just happens to discuss.

Sali.

Salikoko S. Mufwene

Linguistics, U. of Chicago

s-mufwene[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]uchicago.edu

312-702-8531