criteria, singular criterion (n.)

In LINGUISTICS and PHONETICS this term is used with reference to the FORMAL justification of an analysis or description – why one carries out a linguistic analysis in a particular way. The criteria may result from general considerations of the purpose of one’s analysis (e.g. whether pure or applied, theoretical or descriptive, SYNCHRONIC or DIACHRONIC), or may relate to the range of specific factors felt to be relevant to a restricted problem. For example, in the setting up of WORD-CLASSES, decisions must be made as to whether purely linguistic criteria will be used (e.g. PHONOLOGICAL, GRAMMATICAL, SEMANTIC), or whether reference will be made to non-linguistic criteria (e.g. logical, NOTIONAL, aesthetic). Linguistics has generally emphasized two principles: that criteria should always be made EXPLICIT, and should as far as possible be based on formal considerations, e.g. of grammar or phonology. The term is also used with reference to the levels of ADEQUACY (‘criteria of adequacy’) of a grammatical theory.