Syntactic Structures

by Noam Chomsky
Syntactic Structures cover
Good Books rating 4.33
Language and Linguistics
Technical
  • ID: 1212
  • Added: 2025-10-01
  • Updated: 2025-10-01
  • ISBN: 9783112316009
  • Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG
  • Published: 2020-05-18
  • Reviews: 3

Syntactic Structures by Noam Chomsky is a seminal work that laid the foundation for modern linguistics. Chomsky introduces transformational grammar, a radical approach to understanding the underlying structure of language. This book challenges traditional views and offers a new perspective on how sentences are formed and understood./n/nThe book delves into the complexities of syntax, providing a detailed analysis of phrase structure, transformations, and the creative aspect of language use. Chomsky's theories have had a profound impact on the study of language and cognitive science, making this a must-read for anyone interested in linguistics and the science of language.

Reviews
TIME · 2011-08-30
influential 4.50

The review praises Chomsky's transformative ideas, noting their profound influence on linguistics and related fields. It underscores the book's role in shaping modern linguistic theory.

TIME's review highlights the revolutionary nature of Chomsky's work in Syntactic Structures. They emphasize how the book's introduction of transformational grammar changed the landscape of linguistics, providing a new lens through which to view language. The review also notes the broader impact of Chomsky's ideas, which have resonated in fields like philosophy and psychology. The book is celebrated for its innovative approach and enduring relevance, making it a cornerstone of linguistic study.

Quick quotes

    The power of Chomsky's ideas transformed linguistics utterly.

    The aftershocks could be felt in the fields of philosophy, psychology.

    It's about grammatical structure, rather than meaning or logic.

JSTOR · RB Lees · 1957-01-01
revolutionary 4.50

The review highlights Chomsky's groundbreaking work in linguistics, noting its precision and impact. It acknowledges the book's significance in defining syntactic structures with exact rules.

RB Lees' review in JSTOR delves into the precision and originality of Chomsky's work. They appreciate how Chomsky's theory of transformational grammar introduces a systematic approach to understanding sentence structures. The review emphasizes the book's foundational role in linguistics, highlighting its clarity and the rigorous application of rules to describe syntax. Lees also notes that the book's impact extends beyond linguistics, influencing other fields by providing a new framework for analyzing language.

Quick quotes

    The power of Chomsky's ideas transformed linguistics utterly.

    The aftershocks could be felt in the fields of philosophy, psychology.

    Any further distinctions would serve to introduce only phonetic differences which are always in free variation.

Blinkist · 1957-01-01
insightful 4.00

The review summarizes Chomsky's theory of transformational grammar and its impact on linguistic studies. It appreciates the book's clarity and the systematic approach to syntax.

Blinkist's review provides an overview of Chomsky's Syntactic Structures, focusing on its introduction of transformational grammar. They highlight the book's systematic approach to describing sentence structures through rules, which has been instrumental in advancing linguistic theory. The review also notes the book's accessibility, making complex ideas understandable to a broader audience. Chomsky's work is praised for its clarity and the foundational role it plays in modern linguistics.

Quick quotes

    Published in 1957, it introduces Chomsky's theory of transformational grammar.

    The structure of sentences can be described by a set of rules.

    It's about grammatical structure, rather than meaning or logic.

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