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Birth December 7th, 1928
Noam Chomsky is born in Philidelphia, PA to William Chomsky and Elsie Simonofsky. His parents were Jewish immigrants who fled from modern-day Ukraine to escape conscription. Linked is a video interview with Noam Chomsky discussing current events and his life, it is quite impressive the amount of wit he shows at age 94. A bit lengthy but worth it to gain the context of his ideals that it provides. -
"Syntactic Structures"
Chomsky's first major work that arguably put him on the map in the field of linguistics. "Syntactic Structures" radically reconceptualized grammar as a mathematically precise system of rules. Chomsky outlines grammar as a 3 part system: the phase structure component, the transformational component, and the morphophonemic component. This work began Chomsky's theory on grammar and language and his ideas became an integral part of computer science and language studies today. -
"Aspects of the Theory of Syntax"
"Aspects of the Theory of Syntax" laid the framework for what Chomsky called "The solution to the linguistics version of Plato's problem." In this work, Chomsky proposed grammar as an entirely different structure than previously believed. This work presented the theory of a child's mind having a format of possible grammar, and selecting the grammar with the least amount of rules. Later revised in the late 70's this work started a shift in focus in Linguistics as a study. -
"The Responsibility of Intellectuals"
This work is one that you may notice does not fit the pattern of revolutionary linguistics theories Chomsky is famous for, however, it is one of my favorites. This essay by Chomsky was a scathing breakdown of the Vietnam War and positioned Chomsky as one of the leading intellectuals against the war. His critique of journalists and other intellectuals' complicity in lying and covering up the truth to Americans about the war earned him a spot on future president Nixon's list of political opponents -
"Language and Mind"
In this famous work, Chomsky presents the idea that all language shares a core set of grammatical rules, and that the learning of a language is largely up to innate factors. This book keeping with the theme of his work had a huge impact on philosophy and linguistics. This work, in particular, is famous for being the most easily digestible literature in presenting his theory;y on universal grammar. -
Present Day
Chomsky is often referred to as the “Father of Linguistics”. His work on the “Universal Grammar Theory”, and the “Theory of Language Acquisition” have long stood the test of time and formed the cornerstone of modern philosophers’ understanding of linguistics. His works are often cited in Linguistics studies even today, and it’s affects have trickled into computer science and various other scientific arenas because of its significance.