PHILOSOPHY OF LANGUAGE STUDIES V.U. Nguyen Genesis of Language Paradigm

Recently it has been suggested that evaluation of studies of Asian languages like Vietnamese can be approached from a dualism perspective [1], whereby characterization of the language can be inferred from its “dualist ” features and manifestations. Dualism can be seen as primary response of living beings in general, and humankind in particular, to forces of nature and life itself. Dualism also has long been manifested through the process of reasoning and formed the core of scientific enquiry, which in turn is characterized by analysis and synthesis. And yet by itself dualism may not be distinguishable from subjectivity. Language studies as a scientific discipline, customarily manifested by paradigm, essentially relies on modelling, and by and large can be identified as being intimately linked with the so-called Tree-and-Branch approach, being a by-product of dualism, historically most compatible with the hierarchical structure of power and social organization. Most importantly, the tree-and-branch model often lends mutual support to the forging of identity of new or “regained ” nation states. It may reflect religious teachings and narratives, ancient culture, law of nature, and genealogy of human families, while in some ways is also influenced by, and compatible with, Darwinism