Rhetoric and reflexivity in cognitive theories of language

Linguistic theories rarely examine linguistic discourse as an object of self-reflexive scrutiny. This paper examines how the issue of reflexivity is dealt with in two cognitive theories of language, Chomskyan linguistics and cognitive linguistics. It is argued that Chomskyan linguistics systematically excludes consideration of the language of linguistic inquiry. I suggest that this systematic exclusion is achieved through a set of rhetorical moves that construct linguistic discourse as a 'transparent window.' The paper contrasts the suppression of reflexivity in Chomskyan linguistics with its treatment in cognitive linguistics. It is argued that despite statements suggesting a reflexive stance and an interest in looking 'at' as well as 'through' linguistic discourse, cognitive linguistics continues for the most part to treat linguistic discourse as a transparent window or neutral metalanguage.