Full Idea
Our interest in the parts of sentences is derivative; we recognise at once that sentences are effective linguistic units, while we must figure out or decide what constitutes the meaningful words and particles.
Gist of Idea
We recognise sentences at once as linguistic units; we then figure out their parts
Source
Donald Davidson (Truth and Predication [2005], Intro)
Book Reference
Davidson,Donald: 'Truth and Predication' [Belknap Harvard 2005], p.1
A Reaction
It depends on whether linguistic priority goes to complete thoughts that require expression, or to naming and ostensive definition to relate to elements of the environment. I find it hard to have a strong view on this one. Just So stories?