Noam Chomsky reshaped the field of linguistics with his groundbreaking theories on language. Simultaneously, he established himself as a formidable critic of U.S. foreign policy and media influence. Over the years, his dual contributions to academia and political discourse have garnered both acclaim and controversy.

Early Life

Avram Noam Chomsky entered the world on December 7, 1928, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to parents Dr. William “Zev” Chomsky and Elsie Simonofsky. Raised in a Jewish family, Chomsky's father, William, was a noted Hebrew scholar and educator who fled Russia in 1913 to escape conscription into the czarist army. Chomsky's mother, Elsie, was a thinker, teacher, and activist, nurturing in Chomsky a mix of intellectual curiosity and social awareness.

Growing up in a predominantly German and Irish Catholic neighborhood, Chomsky encountered anti-Semitic sentiments and pro-Nazi sympathies. These experiences, coupled with observations of social injustice — like the sight of police forcefully dispersing striking textile workers — instilled in him a strong social conscience. His upbringing amid a tapestry of political debates from among his relatives enriched his formative years.

Chomsky's educational journey began early. At just under two years old, he commenced studies at Oak Lane Country Day School, a progressive institution inspired by the educational philosophies of John Dewey. The school advocated for exploration and creative learning, free from the constraints of traditional competitive grading. Chomsky thrived in this environment, which celebrated individual student success and self-directed learning.

By fifth grade, Chomsky, at the age of ten, was contributing to the school newspaper with articles like “The Fall of Barcelona during the Spanish Civil War.” Reflecting on these years, he considered them the most influential of his life, laying the groundwork for his later academic and ideological pursuits. Transitioning to Central High School at twelve, he found the competitive atmosphere disheartening but remained socially active through clubs.

Chomsky's academic path led him to the University of Pennsylvania at sixteen, where he supported himself by teaching Hebrew. Despite his reservations about the competitive nature of education, he persevered, cultivating his own intellectual interests.

Life’s Work

Chomsky's personal life intertwined with his professional endeavors when he began dating Carol Doris Schatz, a distinguished professor at Harvard, whom he married. The couple shared a life together and had three children, starting their family in 1957.

Chomsky's academic career advanced swiftly. After earning his master's degree in 1951, he pursued a fellowship at Harvard. A pivotal trip to Europe in 1953 helped him refine his linguistic theories, and later experiences on a kibbutz in Israel broadened his world view. By 1955, he completed his doctorate and began a significant research position at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he rapidly ascended to full professorship.

Chomsky's major contributions to linguistics came during the 1960s, a period often referred to as his "classic period." In works like Aspects of the Theory of Syntax (1965), he proposed that language ability is an inherent human trait, analogous to breathing. This revolutionary concept challenged the prevailing notion that language learning was merely a training process. Chomsky argued that humans possess an innate capacity for language, allowing children to naturally acquire language despite varying life circumstances.

His ideas marked a departure from structural linguistics, underscoring the creative potential of language use beyond rote memorization. Chomsky posited that humans have an internalized system of linguistic rules, enabling the creation of novel word combinations.

Chomsky's intellectual pursuits extended beyond linguistics. Engaging in the 1975 Royamount Debate with Jean Piaget, he explored connections between human and animal communication. He maintained that the innate language ability distinguished humans from other animals, a perspective he elaborated on...