explanatory adequacy
A technical term in linguistics, particularly in generative grammar, referring to a theory's ability to explain how children acquire language from limited input.
Chomsky argued that a linguistic theory should have explanatory adequacy.
Descriptive adequacy, a lower level of adequacy in generative grammar, focusing on accurately describing linguistic data without explaining acquisition.
Observational adequacy, the most basic level, merely accounting for observed data.
Compound of 説明的 (explanatory) + 妥当性 (adequacy, validity). A calque from English 'explanatory adequacy', a term introduced in generative linguistics.