Merge and the Strong Minimalist Thesis

by Noam Chomsky, T. Daniel Seely, Robert C. Berwick

The goal of this contribution to the Elements series is to closely examine Merge, its form, its function, and its central role in current linguistic theory. It explores what it does (and does not do), why it has the form it has, and its development over time. The basic idea behind Merge is quite simple. However, Merge interacts, in intricate ways, with other components including the language's interfaces, laws of nature, and certain language-specific conditions. Because of this, and because of its fundamental place in the human faculty of language, this Element's focus on Merge provides insights into the goals and development of generative grammar more generally, and its prospects for the future.

Genres: Linguistics

88 pages, Paperback

First published December 14, 2023

About the author

Avram Noam Chomsky is an American professor and public intellectual known for his work in linguistics, political activism, and social criticism. Sometimes called "the father of modern linguistics", Chomsky is also a major figure in analytic philosophy and one of the founders of the field of cognitive science. He is a laureate professor of linguistics at the University of Arizona and an institute professor emeritus at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Among the most cited living authors, Chomsky has written more than 150 books on topics such as linguistics, war, and politics. In addition to his work in linguistics, since the 1960s Chomsky has been an influential voice on the American left as a consistent critic of U.S. foreign policy, contemporary capitalism, and corporate influence on political institutions and the media.
Born to Ashkenazi Jewish immigrants (his father was William Chomsky) in Philadelphia, Chomsky developed an early interest in anarchism from alternative bookstores in New York City. He studied at the University of Pennsylvania. During his postgraduate work in the Harvard Society of Fellows, Chomsky developed the theory of transformational grammar for which he earned his doctorate in 1955. That year he began teaching at MIT, and in 1957 emerged as a significant figure in linguistics with his landmark work Syntactic Structures, which played a major role in remodeling the study of language. From 1958 to 1959 Chomsky was a National Science Foundation fellow at the Institute for Advanced Study. He created or co-created the universal grammar theory, the generative grammar theory, the Chomsky hierarchy, and the minimalist program. Chomsky also played a pivotal role in the decline of linguistic behaviorism, and was particularly critical of the work of B.F. Skinner.
An outspoken opponent of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, which he saw as an act of American imperialism, in 1967 Chomsky rose to national attention for his anti-war essay "The Responsibility of Intellectuals". Becoming associated with the New Left, he was arrested multiple times for his activism and placed on President Richard M. Nixon's list of political opponents. While expanding his work in linguistics over subsequent decades, he also became involved in the linguistics wars. In collaboration with Edward S. Herman, Chomsky later articulated the propaganda model of media criticism in Manufacturing Consent, and worked to expose the Indonesian occupation of East Timor. His defense of unconditional freedom of speech, including that of Holocaust denial, generated significant controversy in the Faurisson affair of the 1980s. Chomsky's commentary on the Cambodian genocide and the Bosnian genocide also generated controversy. Since retiring from active teaching at MIT, he has continued his vocal political activism, including opposing the 2003 invasion of Iraq and supporting the Occupy movement. An anti-Zionist, Chomsky considers Israel's treatment of Palestinians to be worse than South African–style apartheid, and criticizes U.S. support for Israel.
Chomsky is widely recognized as having helped to spark the cognitive revolution in the human sciences, contributing to the development of a new cognitivistic framework for the study of language and the mind. Chomsky remains a leading critic of U.S. foreign policy, contemporary capitalism, U.S. involvement and Israel's role in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, and mass media. Chomsky and his ideas are highly influential in the anti-capitalist and anti-imperialist movements. Since 2017, he has been Agnese Helms Haury Chair in the Agnese Nelms Haury Program in Environment and Social Justice at the University of Arizona.

Reviews

[Evie]

don't usually add my academic reading because i almost only read journal articles and book chapters, but i stayed up until 5am finishing this thing

[Riaz Laghari · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Merge and the Strong Minimalist Thesis" delves thoroughly into the implications of Merge theory in language studies, displaying extensive study and coverage. It does, however, struggle with difficulties such as accessibility, source integration, and engaging readers with real examples, limiting its potential influence and wider reach.

The book, co-written by famous linguists, gives many points of view while attempting to preserve a consistent narrative flow. Although technical problems in Chapter 6 cause difficulties for non-syntactic readers, it successfully navigates Merge's essential principles and developmental trajectory. It explores the contradiction between complexity and simplicity in language emergence while giving a solid foundation in Generative Grammar. Exploring Merge's intricate features, particularly its limitations in sentence formation, brings up technical language and accessibility issues. Despite its historical context, the book's sophisticated academic material limits its appeal to a wider audience. The intricacies of unresolved syntactic difficulties, combined with their limited real-world application, stifle arguments. Simplifying technical terms, providing better examples, resolving counterarguments, connecting theories to real-world applications, and maintaining a consistent concept flow are all recommendations. Overall, while Merge and the Strong Minimalist Thesis are beneficial, increasing accessibility and interactivity may broaden their audience reach.

"Merge and the Strong Minimalist Thesis" goes into greater detail about Merge's role in linguistic theory. Its immense intricacy may be disconcerting to readers unfamiliar with language theory, yet despite the effort to maintain consistency, the multiplicity of opinions adds richness. Improving clarity, accessibility, and practical connections could boost its impact and appeal to a wider audience.

Finally, "Merge and the Strong Minimalist Thesis" delves into Chomsky's Minimalist Program in depth. While the collaborative aspect enriches the conversation, maintaining a consistent narrative proves tough. Nonetheless, it is a valuable resource for linguists and students looking for a comprehensive understanding of linguistic theory.