Chomsky, Noam, << CHOM skee, nohm >> (1928-…), is an American linguist, philosopher, and political activist. He revolutionized the study of language with his introduction of generative grammar, also called transformational grammar. Generative grammar is a set of largely unconscious rules that speakers use to produce and understand sentences in their language. Chomsky argued that certain universal properties underlie all languages, and that these properties are innate (inborn). His research has influenced theories of innate ideas in philosophy, psychology, mathematics, and education.
Chomsky is also known for his dissident political beliefs—that is, beliefs that disagree with those who hold power. His lectures and writings have sought to expose what he views as government misinformation and the hidden influence of big business. Chomsky’s work has influenced socialist movements that favor limiting government activities.
Avram Noam Chomsky was born in Philadelphia on Dec. 7, 1928. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1949, and he earned a Ph.D. there in 1955. Chomsky joined the faculty of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology later that year. He has written more than 80 books and is a widely quoted author. Some of his books include Syntactic Structures (1957); Aspects of the Theory of Syntax (1965); Reflections on Language (1975); Lectures on Government and Binding (1981); Deterring Democracy (1991); New Horizons in the Study of Language and Mind (2000); Hegemony or Survival: America’s Quest for Global Dominance (2003); Because We Say So (2015); and Who Rules the World? (2016).
See also Linguistics (The generative theory of language); Socialism (The New Left).
