On Language: Chomsky's Classic Works Language and Responsibility and Reflections on Language in One Volume [Paperback]

Noam Chomsky (Author), Mitsou Ronat (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1565844750 | ISBN-13: 978-1565844759 | Publication Date: November 1, 1998

Two of Chomsky's most famous and accessible works available in an affordable and attractive edition.

Described by the New York Times as "arguably the most important intellectual alive," Noam Chomsky is known throughout the world for his highly influential writings on language and politics. Featuring two of Chomsky's most popular and enduring books in one omnibus volume, On Language contains some of the noted linguist and political critic's most informal and accessible work to date, making it an ideal introduction to his thought.

In Part I, Language and Responsibility (1979), Chomsky presents a fascinating self-portrait of his political, moral, and linguistic thinking through a series of interviews with Mitsou Ronat, the noted French linguist. In Part II, Reflections on Language (1975), Chomsky explores the more general implications of the study of language and offers incisive analyses of the controversies among psychologists, philosophers, and linguists over fundamental questions of language.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Language and Responsibility is a well-organized, clearly written, and comprehensive introduction to Chomsky's thought. -- The New York Times Book Review

Reflections on Language is profoundly satisfying and impressive. It is the clearest and most developed account of [Chomsky's] case. -- Patrick Flanagan

Language and Responsibility (1979) is a well-organized, clearly written, and comprehensive introduction to Chomsky's thought. -- New York Times Book Review

Reflections on Language (1975) is profoundly satisfying and impressive. It is the clearest and most developed account of [Chomsky's] case. -- Patrick Flanagan

The clarity of presentation at times approaches that of Bertrand Russell in his political and more popular philosophical essays. -- Contemporary Psychology

About the Author

Noam Chomsky is Institute Professor emeritus at MIT and the author of numerous books, including Understanding Power, American Power and the New Mandarins (both available from The New Press), Hegemony or Survival, and Failed States. He lives in Lexington, Massachusetts.

Product Details

• Paperback: 269 pages
• Publisher: New Press, The (November 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565844750
• ISBN-13: 978-1565844759
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #121,896 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #11 in Books > Literature & Fiction > History & Criticism > Movements & Periods > Postmodernism

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.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Two Classics, March 20, 2006

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This review is from: On Language: Chomsky's Classic Works Language and Responsibility and Reflections on Language in One Volume (Paperback)

Noam Chomsky is a renowned linguist who has taught at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology since 1955. He developed a theory of transformation grammar which has changed the study of language. He is also very active in politics and has several books on a variety of political issues. "On Language" contains two of Chomsky's classic works, "Language and Responsibility", and "Reflections on Language", and while these books deal mainly with Linguistics, there are a couple of sections which cover his political thought.

"Language and Responsibility" was first published in 1977 in France and 1979 in the U.S., and it is a conversation between Chomsky and Mitsou Ronat, the French transformationalist. While the conversation opens with politics, the greater portion of this book is about Generative Grammar.

"Reflections on Language" was first published in 1975 and is an important work in the field of Linguistics. The section titled "Problems and Mysteries in the Study of Human Language" covers interesting aspects such as the philosophy of language and the acquisition of language. Chomsky also spends some time discussing other Linguistic works and where he agrees and disagrees with them.

This book would not make a good choice for someone unfamiliar with Linguistics. However, the "Language and Responsibility" section does serve as an excellent introduction to Chomsky and his thoughts. While one may not agree with all of his political positions, Chomsky does provide some excellent points and forces the reader to re-examine their own position. His Linguistic theories are important to any study of the subject, and "Reflections on Language" is probably the best way to learn about his position.