Comprehensive lecture on the topic “Recursion and Back to Recursion” based on George Yule’s

book The Study of Language. This lecture is designed for university-level students.

📘 Lecture Title: Recursion and Back to Recursion in Human Language

🎯 Learning Objectives

By the end of this lecture, students will be able to:

1. Understand the concept of recursion in language.

2. Identify recursive structures in sentences.

3. Analyze how recursion distinguishes human language from other forms of

communication.

4. Reflect on the implications of recursion for linguistics and language learning.

5. Complete tasks to demonstrate comprehension and application.

🧠 Introduction

When we think of what sets human language apart from the communication systems of other
species, several unique features come to mind—duality, displacement, and cultural
transmission. However, one of the most intriguing and defining characteristics of human
language is recursion.

As discussed by George Yule in The Study of Language, recursion is a fundamental property of

syntax that allows us to express an infinite number of ideas using a finite set of elements. In
this lecture, we will explore what recursion is, examine various examples, delve into its
significance, and consider its broader linguistic implications.

📖 Definition of Recursion

Recursion in linguistics refers to the ability to embed phrases within phrases or clauses within
clauses to potentially create infinitely long sentences. It’s a grammatical rule that can be
repeatedly applied within its own output.

George Yule (The Study of Language):

“Recursion is the repeated application of a rule in generating structures, which allows the
expansion of language expressions without limits.”
In simpler terms, recursion allows us to build complex and layered sentences by embedding
elements like noun phrases, adjective clauses, or prepositional phrases within one another.

🧩 Examples of Recursion

Let’s consider a few examples that demonstrate the recursive nature of human language:

🔹 Example 1: Embedding Clauses

 He said [that she believed [that the teacher knew [that the student cheated]]].

This sentence contains four layers of embedded clauses. Each clause is inserted into another,
showing how recursion allows for complex thought and expression.

🔹 Example 2: Recursive Noun Phrases

 The book on the table in the room next to the hallway under the stairs…

Here, multiple prepositional phrases are added to describe the location of “the book,” all
stacked recursively.

🔹 Example 3: Relative Clauses

 The girl [who saw the boy [who kicked the ball [that broke the window]]].

This is an example of recursive relative clauses—a hallmark of advanced syntactic structures in

language.

Implementation in Syntax

Recursion is made possible by the rules of syntax. In phrase structure rules, a constituent can
be defined in terms of itself:

NP → NP PP
(A Noun Phrase can consist of another Noun Phrase followed by a Prepositional Phrase)

S → NP VP
VP → V S
(A Verb Phrase can include a verb followed by a sentence)

These rules allow a loop in the generative grammar, enabling sentence nesting.

🧬 Recursion in Language Acquisition

Children demonstrate an understanding of recursion at a very young age, even if they don't use
complex structures early on. The ability to understand “who did what to whom” in nested
clauses is a cognitive milestone.

 For instance, a child may understand:

“Mommy says that Daddy thinks that I’m asleep.”

Though this sentence is structurally complex, it shows how recursion underpins cognitive
development in language use.

🌍 Cross-Linguistic Perspectives

While recursion is often considered a universal feature of human language, some languages
appear to limit or restrict recursive structures. For example:

 The Pirahã language of the Amazon, according to Daniel Everett, lacks recursive
embedding. This claim sparked considerable debate about whether recursion is truly a
linguistic universal or more of a cognitive potential.

Nonetheless, most human languages exhibit recursive structures in some form—particularly in

sentence construction, possessive chains, or relative clause embedding.

📌 Implications of Recursion

Recursion is not just a technical feature; it has profound implications for:

1. Cognitive Science

 It reflects the mental capacity for hierarchical thinking and abstract reasoning.

2. Computational Linguistics

 Recursive structures are essential in Natural Language Processing (NLP) and syntax
parsers.

3. Second Language Learning

 Understanding recursive patterns helps learners build longer and more fluent
sentences.

 However, overly complex recursive structures can pose challenges in both

comprehension and production.

4. Philosophy and the Study of Mind

  Recursion is seen as evidence of the uniquely human mind, allowing infinite creativity in
language use.

🔁 Back to Recursion

When we say “Back to Recursion,” we mean:

 Returning to the core of what makes language generative and infinite.

 Understanding that every clause, phrase, or sentence can be expanded—a recursive

loop/ring that mirrors our limitless ability to communicate.

Let’s revisit a simple sentence and build it recursively:

Starting Sentence:

 She cried.

Add a Clause:

 He said she cried.

Add Another:

 I think he said she cried.

Add More:

 They believe I think he said she cried.

With each step, we “go back to recursion,” building from the same structure repeatedly. Each
layer is functionally and grammatically complete, yet deeply interconnected.

📘 Summary

 Recursion is a defining feature of human language.

 It allows for the infinite generation of sentences.

 Recursive rules operate at the level of syntax, especially through clauses and phrases.

 The ability to use recursion is both linguistic and cognitive.

 Its study informs linguistics, psycholinguistics, AI, and philosophy.

✏️Tasks for Students

Please complete the following to consolidate today’s learning:

🔹 Task 1: Identify Recursive Structures

Find three examples of recursion in a written or spoken text (e.g., news article, podcast,
academic paper). Highlight the recursive elements and explain how they function.

🔹 Task 2: Build a Recursive Sentence

Start with a simple sentence like “The cat slept.” Add at least four layers of recursion using
noun phrases, relative clauses, or complement clauses.

🔹 Task 3: Reflection Writing (150–200 words)

Write a short reflection on why recursion matters in language and how it helps us express
complex ideas.

🔹 Task 4: Create few sentences where we can repeat VP, AP, ADVP.