3 402 queries language speakers syntax texts speaks languages one hand frustrated linguists question many languages speak hand think vastly incorrect say linguists concerned formalized grammars symbol systems fact us nt concerned primarily issues recent discussion rules us baffling still us concerned good description languages language writing grammars dictionaries get us grad students jobs good number us fluent contemporary theory comfortable large amounts detailed language data sometimes speak one languages studying often learn languages end different kind working knowledge native speaker many us careful datagathering analysis high priority readily translate bits languages work would nt much good conversation really feel two tasks different would nt make good simultaneous interpreter someone would probably cant tell structural things language question perhaps obvious experienced linguists rattling around head couple conferences met 1 great theoreticians control little data 2 great descrip tivists care little recent theoretical developments 3 healthy number people especially grad students cared seems latter category trying collectors raw data statisticians analogy offered thoughts kathleen hubbard u c berkeley