The Central Question in Comparative Syntactic Metatheory

Abstract Two kinds of theoretical framework for syntax are encountered in current linguistics. One emerged from the mathematization of proof theory, and is referred to here as generative‐enumerative syntax ( GES ). A less explored alternative stems from the semantic side of logic, and is here called model‐theoretic syntax ( MTS ). I sketch the outlines of each, and give a capsule summary of some mathematical results pertaining to the latter. I then briefly survey some diverse types of evidence suggesting that in some ways MTS seems better suited to theorizing about the relevant linguistic phenomena.