Finite, Infinite, What does it Matter?

I used to think it had all, and only, to do with Phunding in the Kingdom of Pork. If a language is infinite, then any theory or model which accounts for it in a finite number of rules is infinitely efficient, however many rules, however complex, and you, the inventor, can give yourself a great pat on the back. You don't have to build an immensely intricate fantasy either, just the bare bones of it will get you started already, as long as you follow the advice: "Keep it stupid, simple[ton]!". Metalleus's tutorial on how to make a linguistic theory gives you an excellent start. Then, while rummaging about in the Linguist archive for past posts on the subject, I came across this message which I'll paste here rather than link to it (it's short, and the Linguist archive is sometimes painfully slow).

Message 2: Are languages infinite
Date: Mon, 4 Nov 91 10:42:38 EST
From: Jacques Guy
Subject: Are languages infinite
I used to think the same as Michael Kac, i.e.: "Having said that, I should go on to say that I don't in point of fact think that it's especially productive to debate whether languages are infinite." (His 1st Nov 91 posting) ... until I read the biography of W.Friedman (the decipherer of many a German and Japanese code during WWII) in the latest issue of "Cryptologia". What if whomever he depended on for funding had said: "Languages are infinite, so your approach cannot succeed." (Given Friedman's approach, and granted that languages are infinite, or even only very large, it seems indeed to be condemned to failure. But read the article: it is very well written and I couldn't put it down.)

(The original is there: http://linguistlist.org/issues/2/2-758.html).

Interesting... it seems that the infinity of language may serve to keep the Bornes and their Wheels out of the Good Kingdom of Pork as well as to keep the Elect Piglets' snouts firmly stuck in the Royal Trough. What a useful notion!

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