The Architecture of Language [Hardcover]

Noam Chomsky (Author), Nirmalangshu Mukherji (Editor), Bibudhendra Narayan Patnaik (Editor), Rama Kant Agnihotri (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 019564834X | ISBN-13: 978-0195648348 | Publication Date: January 4, 2001

Noam Chomsky is one of the most widely published and influential thinkers on language and mind. This book consists of an edited transcript of a lecture, delivered at the University of Delhi in January 1996, where Chomsky reflects on the history of the 'generative enterprise' to relate it to some strikingly novel advances in recent grammatical theory.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Noam Chomsky is at MIT.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 108 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (January 4, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 019564834X
• ISBN-13: 978-0195648348
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,741,269 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Noam Chomsky is Institute Professor in the Department of Linguistics and Philosophy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston. A member of the American Academy of Science, he has published widely in both linguistics and current affairs. His books include At War with Asia, Towards a New Cold War, Fateful Triangle: The U. S., Israel and the Palestinians, Necessary Illusions, Hegemony or Survival, Deterring Democracy, Failed States: The Abuse of Power and the Assault on Democracy and Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great "specialist" book, November 14, 2010

By 

Stephen Pellerine (In a bookshelf somewhere) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Architecture of Language (Oxford India Paperbacks) (Paperback)

This book is the result of a conference in India and was built as subsequent questions arrived at his desk a week later, back in Boston.

I think that if you have not had a background regarding Chomsky's views on linguistics, language acquisition, and his philosophical approach to cognition this is truly a great read. It is a read as he is addressing a crowd that often asks basic questions and he speaks to them. So, instead of the theoretical frameworks and philosophies that are presented in academic literature (pertaining to his views on how language is constructed) we are able to read a gentler version here in this 76 pager.

Really - it's a great introduction into the linguistic Chomsky. I think that you may need to follow up with more of the academic literature available but again, as a springboard it's a perfect jumping point.

Caution: This is not Steve Pinker like. This is not a read just anyone off the street will find themselves submerged within. You will need to have an interest in learning, language acquisition, or simply be an eclectic reader that enjoys journeys down new and unfamiliar reads. If you just started an MA in Applied Linguistics or TESOL this may be quite helpful in getting your head around a few of his ideas, which you will come across (I imagine) during your studies.

Great "specialist" book.