Computational Linguistics and Generative Linguistics: The Triumph of Hope over Experience

It is remarkable if any relationship at all persists between computational linguists (CL) and that part of general linguistics comprising the mainstream of MIT transformational-generative (TG) theoretical syntax. If the lines are still open, it represents something of a tribute to CL practitioners’ tolerance — a triumph of hope and goodwill over the experience of abuse — because the TG community has shown considerable hostility toward CL and everything it stands for over the past fifty years. I offer some brief historical notes, and hint at prospects for a better basis for collaboration in the future.