INTRODUCTORY NOTES ON CHOMSKY

What is Chomsky's revolution?- the "Government and Binding" Theory

Noam Chomsky revolutionized the field of linguistics in the mid-twentieth century with his
groundbreaking theories on language and the mind.

One of Chomsky's most important contributions to linguistics is his theory of

Generative Grammar, which posits that humans have an innate capacity for language
and that this capacity is reflected in the structure of language itself. He argued that the rules
governing the structure of language are not learned through imitation or conditioning, but are
instead hard-wired into the human brain.

Chomsky's theory of "Government and Binding" is a particular version of his

Generative Grammar Theory, which was introduced in the 1980s. This theory aimed to
provide a more comprehensive explanation for the structure of language and how it is
processed in the brain.
At its core, this theory argues that all languages share a set of universal principles
and parameters that determine the ways in which words and phrases are put together. The
theory is based on the idea that there are certain functional relationships between the
different elements of a sentence, and that these relationships are governed by a set of
principles and rules.
One of the central principles of government and binding theory is the idea of
"government," which refers to the way in which one element in a sentence controls or
governs another. For example, a verb might govern the tense of a sentence, or a noun might
govern the case of a pronoun.
Another key aspect of the theory is the notion of "binding," which refers to the way in
which pronouns and other elements are linked to their referents in a sentence. This involves
a complex set of rules governing the relationship between nouns, pronouns, and other
elements.
Chomsky's government and binding theory represents a major breakthrough in our
understanding of the structure of language and how it is processed in the brain. By providing
a comprehensive framework for analyzing the grammatical structure of language, this theory
has helped to deepen our understanding of how humans acquire and use language.

How is the Minimalist Program related to this theory?

The Minimalist Program is a framework for the study of language developed by Noam
Chomsky in the early 1990s. The program represents a further development of Chomsky's
earlier work on Generative Grammar and his theory of Universal Grammar.
The goal of the Minimalist Program is to simplify and streamline the theory of
generative grammar, while at the same time providing a more comprehensive account of
the cognitive mechanisms involved in language use. The program is based on the idea that
the human brain is able to generate an infinite number of sentences using a limited set of
rules and principles.
 At the heart of the Minimalist Program is the concept of "Merge", which refers to the
way in which language elements are combined to form larger structures. Merge is thought to
be a fundamental operation in the human brain, which allows us to create complex
sentences and express a wide range of ideas.
The Minimalist Program is also characterized by a strong emphasis on economy
and simplicity. Chomsky argues that the rules and principles of language must be as
simple as possible, in order to reflect the cognitive efficiency of the brain. This means that
the program seeks to eliminate unnecessary elements and constructions in language,
while still accounting for the full range of linguistic phenomena.
Overall, the Minimalist Program represents a significant development in the study of
language, providing a more streamlined and efficient theory of generative grammar that is
grounded in our understanding of the cognitive mechanisms underlying language use.

How does the Minimalist Program further Generative Grammar? Key points to
be considered

The Minimalist Program represents a further development of Chomsky's earlier work on

Generative Grammar, building on the insights and concepts developed in that theory. There
are several key points to consider when studying the Minimalist Program and Generative
Grammar:

● Universal Grammar: Both the Minimalist Program and Generative Grammar are
based on the concept of Universal Grammar, which posits that all human beings
possess an innate knowledge of the principles of language. This knowledge is
thought to be encoded in the structure of the brain and is responsible for our ability to
acquire and use language.

● Economy: One of the key principles of the Minimalist Program is the concept of
economy. The program seeks to eliminate unnecessary elements and constructions
in language, while still accounting for the full range of linguistic phenomena. This
means that the rules and principles of language must be as simple as possible, in
order to reflect the cognitive efficiency of the brain.

● Merge: Merge is a central concept in both the Minimalist Program and Generative
Grammar. Merge refers to the way in which language elements are combined to form
larger structures, and is thought to be a fundamental operation in the human brain
that allows us to create complex sentences and express a wide range of ideas.

● Constraints: Both theories recognize the importance of constraints in language.

Constraints are restrictions on the ways in which language elements can be
combined, and they play an important role in determining the grammaticality of
sentences.
 ● Syntax-Semantics Interface: Both the Minimalist Program and Generative Grammar
emphasize the importance of the syntax-semantics interface, which is the
relationship between the structure of a sentence and its meaning. These theories
seek to explain how the brain is able to link the grammatical structure of a sentence
with its meaning.

In summary, the Minimalist Program furthers Generative Grammar by streamlining and

simplifying the theory while still accounting for the full range of linguistic phenomena. It
builds on the concepts and insights developed in Generative Grammar and provides a more
comprehensive account of the cognitive mechanisms underlying language use.

Adapted from Andrew Radford’s “An Introduction to English Sentence Structure”

(2020)