乔姆斯基语言观.docx

1、乔姆斯基语言观On Chomskys View of Language Abstract: As a pioneer linguist， Noam Chomsky enjoys a position within linguistics probably unprecedented in the whole history of the subject. From his first book Syntactic Structures, published in 1957, he has been engaged in the linguistic study and brought many

2、 innovative ideas to linguistics, especially in the aspects of grammatical theory. His theory of grammar is undoubtedly the most dynamic and influential. This thesis reviews the development of Chomskys linguistic theories and its philosophical foundation for linguistics, including his major contribu

3、tions, like the theory of transformational-generative grammar that revolutionalized the scientific study of language. This systematic and historical overview of his linguistic studies will surely help to get a deeper understanding of Chomskys academic contributions and give a mathematically precise

4、description of some of the most striking features of language. Key words: view of language; philosophical foundation for linguistics1.IntroductionNoam Chomsky is one of the most influential thinkers of modern times. The most cited writer in the humanities, his work has revolutionized the field of li

5、nguistics, and has dominated many other disciplines including politics and the philosophy of mind and human nature. He has also contributed significantly to our understanding of the abuse of power, and of the controlling effects of the mass media.Since the very day on which Chomskys theories were es

6、tablished, there have been many arguments. There are many faithful followers, while some people are radical objectors. Many researches have been made on his linguistic ideas and there have been quite a few breakthroughs. However, most of the study is limited to a certain developmental period of his

7、theories, or an introduction of a certain theoretical work.This thesis aims to make an exploration of Chomskys linguistic ideas, which makes up for the limitation of previous researches. This is not only an exploration of a great linguists theory, but also an exploration of the linguistic developmen

8、t since 1957. By doing this research, we can absorb some conducive experience and study methods.In the following chapter, I will make a comprehensive study of Chomskys linguistic revolution, namely the transformational grammar. In Chapter Three, we can see the major developmental phases of Chomskys

9、linguistic ideas, from the transformational grammar, to Standard Theory, Extended Standard Theory, REST, GB to Minimalist Program. Chapter Four focuses on the philosophical foundation of his linguistic concept, which constitutes the bedrock on which the rest is built. In the last chapter, I will sum

10、marize the creative findings and the significance of them, including the great impact on the past and present linguistic study and the outlook of future development.2.Chomsky and His Linguistic Ideas2.1 BiographyNoam Chomsky was born on December 7, 1928 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His undergradua

11、te and graduate years were spent at the University of Pennsylvania where he received his PhD in linguistics in 1955. During the years 1951 to 1955, Chomsky was a Junior Fellow of the Harvard University Society of Fellows. While a Junior Fellow he completed his doctoral dissertation entitled, Transfo

12、rmational Analysis. The major theoretical viewpoints of the dissertation appeared in the monograph Syntactic Structure, which was published in 1957. This formed part of a more extensive work, The Logical Structure of Linguistic Theory, circulated in mimeograph in 1955 and published in 1975.Chomsky r

13、eceived a faculty position at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1955 and in 1961 was appointed full professor in the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics (now the Department of Linguistics and Philosophy.) From 1966 to 1976 he held the Ferrari P. Ward Professorship of Modern Lan

14、guages and Linguistics. In 1976 he was appointed Institute Professor.Chomsky has received honorary degrees from University of London, University of Chicago, Loyola University of Chicago, Swarthmore College, Delhi University, Bard College, University of Massachusetts, University of Pennsylvania, Geor

15、getown University, Amherst College, Cambridge University, University of Buenos Aires, McGill University, Universitat Rovira I Virgili, Tarragona, Columbia University, University of Connecticut, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, University of Western Ontario, University of Toronto, Harvard University,

16、University of Calcutta, and Universidad Nacional De Colombia. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Science. In addition, he is a member of other professional and learned societies in the United States and abroad, and is a recipient of the Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award of the American Psychological Association, the Kyoto Prize in Basic Sciences, the Helmholtz Medal, the Dorothy Eldridge Peacemaker