The Metaphysical Thoughts Of Plato In Formal Linguistics [1]

Russell (1961: 136-7):

There is, however, something of great importance in Plato's doctrine which is not traceable to his predecessors, and that is the theory of 'ideas' or 'forms'.  This theory is partly logical, partly metaphysical. … According to the metaphysical part of the doctrine, the word 'cat' means a certain ideal cat, 'the cat', created by God, and unique.  Particular cats partake of the nature of the cat, but more or less imperfectly; it is only owing to imperfection that there can be many of them.  The cat is real; particular cats are only apparent.

Blogger Comments:

In Chomskyan Formal Linguistics, the metaphysical part of Plato's theory of ideas/forms can be related to the theoretical notions of Competence and Performance.  Rewording the above yields:

Performances partake of the nature of (ideal, unique) Competence, but more or less imperfectly. Competence is real; particular Performances are only apparent.