Not-So-Strange Love: Language Models and Generative Linguistic Theories are More Compatible than They Appear

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Author: McCoy, R. Thomas
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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author McCoy, R. Thomas
author_facet McCoy, R. Thomas
contents Futrell and Mahowald (2025) frame the success of neural language models (LMs) as supporting gradient, usage-based linguistic theories. I argue that LMs can also instantiate theories based on formal structures - the types of theories seen in the generative tradition. This argument expands the space of theories that can be tested with LMs, potentially enabling reconciliations between usage-based and generative accounts.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2605_10061
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Not-So-Strange Love: Language Models and Generative Linguistic Theories are More Compatible than They Appear
McCoy, R. Thomas
Computation and Language
Artificial Intelligence
Futrell and Mahowald (2025) frame the success of neural language models (LMs) as supporting gradient, usage-based linguistic theories. I argue that LMs can also instantiate theories based on formal structures - the types of theories seen in the generative tradition. This argument expands the space of theories that can be tested with LMs, potentially enabling reconciliations between usage-based and generative accounts.
title Not-So-Strange Love: Language Models and Generative Linguistic Theories are More Compatible than They Appear
topic Computation and Language
Artificial Intelligence
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.10061