The Logical Structure of Linguistic Theory

by Noam Chomsky

The work written by the noted American linguist two decades ago explains the basic principles of transformational generative grammar, its relation to the general structure of an adequate language theory, and its specific application to English.

Genres: Linguistics, Nonfiction, Language, Logic, Philosophy

608 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 1975

About the author

Avram Noam Chomsky is an American professor and public intellectual known for his work in linguistics, political activism, and social criticism. Sometimes called "the father of modern linguistics", Chomsky is also a major figure in analytic philosophy and one of the founders of the field of cognitive science. He is a laureate professor of linguistics at the University of Arizona and an institute professor emeritus at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Among the most cited living authors, Chomsky has written more than 150 books on topics such as linguistics, war, and politics. In addition to his work in linguistics, since the 1960s Chomsky has been an influential voice on the American left as a consistent critic of U.S. foreign policy, contemporary capitalism, and corporate influence on political institutions and the media.
Born to Ashkenazi Jewish immigrants in Philadelphia, Chomsky developed an early interest in anarchism from alternative bookstores in New York City. He studied at the University of Pennsylvania. During his postgraduate work in the Harvard Society of Fellows, Chomsky developed the theory of transformational grammar for which he earned his doctorate in 1955. That year he began teaching at MIT, and in 1957 emerged as a significant figure in linguistics with his landmark work Syntactic Structures, which played a major role in remodeling the study of language. From 1958 to 1959 Chomsky was a National Science Foundation fellow at the Institute for Advanced Study. He created or co-created the universal grammar theory, the generative grammar theory, the Chomsky hierarchy, and the minimalist program. Chomsky also played a pivotal role in the decline of linguistic behaviorism, and was particularly critical of the work of B.F. Skinner.
An outspoken opponent of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, which he saw as an act of American imperialism, in 1967 Chomsky rose to national attention for his anti-war essay "The Responsibility of Intellectuals". Becoming associated with the New Left, he was arrested multiple times for his activism and placed on President Richard M. Nixon's list of political opponents. While expanding his work in linguistics over subsequent decades, he also became involved in the linguistics wars. In collaboration with Edward S. Herman, Chomsky later articulated the propaganda model of media criticism in Manufacturing Consent, and worked to expose the Indonesian occupation of East Timor. His defense of unconditional freedom of speech, including that of Holocaust denial, generated significant controversy in the Faurisson affair of the 1980s. Chomsky's commentary on the Cambodian genocide and the Bosnian genocide also generated controversy. Since retiring from active teaching at MIT, he has continued his vocal political activism, including opposing the 2003 invasion of Iraq and supporting the Occupy movement. An anti-Zionist, Chomsky considers Israel's treatment of Palestinians to be worse than South African–style apartheid, and criticizes U.S. support for Israel.
Chomsky is widely recognized as having helped to spark the cognitive revolution in the human sciences, contributing to the development of a new cognitivistic framework for the study of language and the mind. Chomsky remains a leading critic of U.S. foreign policy, contemporary capitalism, U.S. involvement and Israel's role in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, and mass media. Chomsky and his ideas are highly influential in the anti-capitalist and anti-imperialist movements. Since 2017, he has been Agnese Helms Haury Chair in the Agnese Nelms Haury Program in Environment and Social Justice at the University of Arizona.

Reviews

[Nick Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely fundamental and authoritative, but be prepared to lend it a loan of a fortnight. Someone stole my copy, and that person is a fucker. Update: Nevermind! Found!

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

When first faced with the daunting study of the philosophy of language, I eventually discovered this book, one which is without question seminal in modern linguistic studies. I was terribly impressed with his writing and it gave me much difficulty for years to be able to merge this thinking into my own train of thought.
While I now believe that there are some huge holes in Chomsky's linguistic theories, he remains a giant among men in this field. Everyone seeking to make any sense of this field should read and digest what Chomsky writes about the subject.
Unfortunately knowing of his fame, I made the poor decision. induced by my friends, to attend one of his many lectures on modern society at which I was truly appalled.
First, Chomsky is both incredibly quick minded and extremely convincing, whether writing or speaking. He has a rare and wonderful combination of quick wit and a remarkably agile mind. Personally I wish he had stuck with linguistics at which he certainly excels. My respect for the man and his writing in this field is immense; American politics, where I think his ideas border on the deranged, perhaps not so much.