Noam CHOMSKY Filsuf Bahasa dan Filsafat Analitik

Summary

This script explores Noam Chomsky's groundbreaking ideas in linguistics, particularly his theory of language acquisition and the contrast between structuralism and his own transformational grammar. It discusses how Chomsky challenged behaviorist views, arguing that language is an innate ability within humans, supported by his concept of 'Universal Grammar.' The script also touches on the distinction between surface and deep structures in language, explaining how meaning and understanding can still occur even if language structure is incomplete. Chomsky's theories have had a significant impact on linguistics and analytic philosophy, with his ideas influencing debates on language's role in human cognition.

Takeaways

• 😀 Chomsky, born in Philadelphia in 1928, is a prominent linguist and philosopher who revolutionized the study of language.
• 😀 Chomsky’s significant works include *Syntactic Structures* and *Aspects of the Theory of Syntax*, which challenged structuralism and laid the foundation for transformational grammar.
• 😀 Unlike structuralists who viewed language as external to the individual, Chomsky believed language is an internal, innate ability.
• 😀 Chomsky's theory of language acquisition suggests humans are born with a 'faculty of language' that enables natural language learning.
• 😀 Chomsky's view on language contrasts with behaviorist theories, which argue language is learned through external reinforcement.
• 😀 The distinction between 'surface structure' (the outward form of language) and 'deep structure' (the underlying mental representation of language) is central to Chomsky's theory.
• 😀 According to Chomsky, even grammatically incorrect sentences, like 'I am chicken,' can have a deeper structure that conveys the intended meaning, such as 'I want chicken.'
• 😀 Chomsky’s theory includes the idea of 'universal grammar,' suggesting all languages share common structural elements despite surface differences.
• 😀 Chomsky’s work has had a profound impact on analytic philosophy, influencing figures like Bertrand Russell and Ludwig Wittgenstein, particularly in understanding language's relationship to meaning.
• 😀 Chomsky's theories emphasize that language is a biological endowment, and that while its structure is innate, its usage is infinitely flexible in communication.

Q & A

What is Noam Chomsky's main contribution to linguistics?

Noam Chomsky's main contribution to linguistics is the development of generative grammar, which focuses on understanding the innate structures of the human mind that shape language. His work contrasted with structuralist views and introduced the concepts of deep and surface structures in language.

How does Chomsky's view of language differ from the structuralist perspective?

Chomsky's view of language contrasts with the structuralist perspective by emphasizing that language is not purely external and social but is instead an internal faculty inherent in humans. Structuralists, influenced by figures like Ferdinand de Saussure, viewed language as a social construct external to the individual.

What is the distinction between internal and external language according to Chomsky?

According to Chomsky, internal language refers to the innate linguistic capability within humans, which is a cognitive structure present from birth. External language, on the other hand, refers to the usage and social context of language in communication.

What role does Chomsky believe innate cognitive structures play in language acquisition?

Chomsky believes that humans are born with an inherent linguistic capability, often referred to as a 'language faculty'. This cognitive structure allows individuals to acquire language naturally, without the need for external stimuli or reinforcement, as opposed to behaviorist theories that suggest language acquisition is learned through external interactions.

What is the difference between surface structure and deep structure in Chomsky's theory?

In Chomsky's theory, surface structure refers to the outward expression of language—the words and sentences we use in communication. Deep structure, on the other hand, represents the underlying cognitive framework that governs how we understand and produce language, even if the surface structure is incomplete or seemingly incorrect.

How does Chomsky explain understanding ambiguous or incomplete language expressions?

Chomsky explains that even when language expressions are ambiguous or incomplete (such as saying 'I want chicken' instead of a full sentence), the deep structure in the mind of both the speaker and the listener helps them understand the intended meaning, based on context and innate linguistic competence.

How did Chomsky's work challenge behaviorism in language acquisition?

Chomsky challenged behaviorism by arguing that language acquisition is not solely the result of external stimuli and reinforcement, as behaviorists claimed. Instead, Chomsky proposed that humans have an inborn ability to acquire language, with an internal, pre-existing language structure that makes learning a language natural and automatic.

What is the concept of 'transformational grammar' in Chomsky's theory?

Transformational grammar is a concept in Chomsky's theory that refers to the ability to generate various sentence structures from a basic set of rules or structures. This concept suggests that while languages may appear different on the surface, they share underlying, universal structures that can be transformed into different forms.

How does Chomsky’s theory relate to analytic philosophy and logical atomism?

Chomsky’s theory has had significant influence on analytic philosophy, especially in the realm of logical atomism. Like philosophers Bertrand Russell and Ludwig Wittgenstein, Chomsky emphasized the need to analyze language at its fundamental level to accurately understand meaning, arguing that surface expressions in everyday language often fail to capture deeper, more precise philosophical truths.

What is the significance of Chomsky's work in the context of cross-linguistic analysis?

Chomsky's work in cross-linguistic analysis is significant because it demonstrates that despite surface differences in languages (such as vocabulary and syntax), all languages share a universal underlying structure. This idea supports the notion of a universal grammar that is inherent in all human languages.