The Concept of Language (Noam Chomsky)

Linguist Noam Chomsky, professor at MIT, discusses the ways in which language changes over time and how the idea of a national language is a modern phenomenon. In this University of Washington interview, Upon Reflection host Al Page speaks with Chomsky about how languages are systems of communication rooted in human nature.

[@aw412]

Chomsky always comes off as “I am humbly smarter than you are and I genuinely want you to become smarter than I am.”

[@patrickgleason2066]

That’s the very definition of a great teacher.

[@fouzisilvano8550]

the perfect aseertive communicator

[@dpersonal4187]

Perfect z-ist gatekeeper.

[@lewiscoacher7781]

@A W: That's just professor Chomsky using your language to explain to you your language.

[@Ubermensch2]

It's an Interview. So you can stop-uttering-BS or shut tf up

[@johndoe-ox7ns]

“There are some French theorists who say they have to work hard to keep the French language pure, what do you think that means?” “It doesn’t mean anything lol.” - Chomsky

[@artyblartyfartblast8465]

Not having the erudition or dignity of professor Chomsky I can only ask, how do you say wanker in French?

[@AslanW]

@@artyblartyfartblast8465 Well, that all depends, but if the aim is to offend a Frenchman, nothing will do that as well as calling them wanker in English instead of French.

[@patrickgleason2066]

@@artyblartyfartblast8465 Alas! The great Peter Sellers (“Inspecteur” Clouseau) is no longer with us. I think that nowadays the most best versions of the beautiful French language are spoken in Africa.

[@TheDavidlloydjones]

@@patrickgleason2066 That's fair comment. Until the railway (and WWI) came along to unify the country and mix the population all around, France had three main Frenches, plus some regional languages like Breton. There was Parisien, which is today's standard French, and then Langue d'Oil and Langue d'Oc, Oi and Oc being the regional ways of pronouncing "oui." They correspond to the diagonal line across "Gaul" where people on the south-west of the line don't get born with the Mongol Spot on their butts, i.e. the line of, uh, penetration of Genghis Khan's troops' genes. Many French will say this is ridiculous, just as many Japanese will tell you that Japan is racially homogeneous and linguistically united. Japan, in real life, was united for the first time by the importation of the Boeing 747 for its domestic airlines -- although the railways are said to have raised the average Japanese IQ by ten points by giving farm boys somebody to chase other than their cousins.

[@jean-christopheMiquel-ef3ur]

@@patrickgleason2066 affirmation gratuite .... Est-elle un exemple de CANCEL CULTURE ? =la pire des maladies sorties des universités américaines.... Par contre, Haîti s'illustre par de grands écrivains français contemporains. La Martinique et la Guadeloupe aussi. Le Sénégal s'est illustré avec Léopold Segar Senghor. L'Afrique francophone a bien sûr une population parlant souvent excellemment français.

[@binishulman8655]

I can just imagine: It is the year 2100, and an ancient shriveled up 171 year old that is Noam Chomsky, is still sitting there calmly lecturing away.

[@spencera1129]

Let us hope

[@tcorourke2007]

He was super sharp here, but at 91 he has slowed down quite a bit.

[@chileflake1656]

I still don't understand why in English there's this "UP" at the end of a lot of verbs... like, why! ??? .. : bring up, get up, stand up, pick up, whatever UP... endlessness.. instead of a single verb word, which would be "easier" to understand somehow. (at least from a Spanish native point of view) .... So, now I just say "up" at the end of whatever verb and 99% of the time I'd be right :).. but in my mind, if the "up" is there or not, it has the same meaning for me at least, it's just an Extra filling word.

[@binishulman8655]

@@chileflake1656 Good question. The 'up' implies different things in different circumstances, and being fluent in English, these meanings just come naturally to me. Maybe sometimes it is redundant altogether. All languages have things like this (redundancies or 'phrasal verbs' without obvious meaning). I have similar feelings about random objects being given a 'gender' in some languages. In the case of my original comment, the 'up' implies completeness. If Noam Chomsky is 'shriveled up', that means he could not possibly get any more shriveled. The 'up' in 'used up' works the same way. If I have 'used up my toothpaste', that means there is no toothpaste left - which is a different meaning to if I have simply 'used my toothpaste'. In these cases, I like to think of the subject as a vertical loading bar, that rises upwards until it is complete. But in other circumstances the meaning is different. For example, 'pick' by itself, can just mean to choose something mentally (unless we're talking about 'picking fruit'). But if I say 'pick up', that implies physically taking something into my possession (either directly into my hands, or placing that thing into something I own, like a car or box). If I am at the supermarket/grocery store, and am looking at the breakfast cereals on the shelf, if I say 'I picked the box of cereal I wanted', by itself, that just means I have chosen in my mind which box I want to take. But if I say 'I picked up the box of cereal I wanted', that means I physically moved my hands and took that box off the shelf. I don't know where all the different cases/uses of 'up' being added come from. No doubt there is an interesting linguistic history that a linguist like Noam Chomsky might be able to tell you about. Anyway, I hope this helps.

[@chileflake1656]

@@binishulman8655 ... Thx for the nice and detailed explanation.. Completeness and Physically are the keyword here that I haven't thought before... Yes it gives a more Visual meaning now :) .. I'll try to google this based on your feedback, there must be some info exactly like this, in order to learn how to speak better native english. In Spanish there are no redundancies where one speaks "correctly". But when ppl say something like "climb towards up" or "subir para arriba", it's not correct but uneducated people still say it and sounds funny at first, second time is just annoying.

[@uninvincible1]

"Well, I suppose there comes a time when your mind deteriorate and reach to point where you you cannot deal with hard questions." Now, he is 91 years old.

[@Saber23]

And he can still talk circles around everyone 😂

[@Octopussyist]

@@Saber23 It is a matter of training. Your short term memory would be deteriorating already from the age of 20 if you didn't train it. But you can train it, keep it at the same level or even improve it, till you are very old.

[@Saber23]

@@Octopussyist yeah I guess

[@Octopussyist]

@@Saber23 Great - the sooner you realize that the better for you. The brain is more than just the "home of your mind" - It is actually a physiological "thing" that needs exercise and training just like your muscles or joints. Look up "brain training" or "memory training" and you'll find out more.

[@gda295]

interviewers not afraid of being wrong with their questions ...gotta love em

[@docemeveritatum8550]

It's an interview technique

[@Neonb88]

Agreed. The interviewer is good at opening up the metaphorical conversation jar

[@ronnyreece8536]

Ralph Cramden he said interviewers as in plural so their would be correct. Moron.

[@non_da]

@@wallacecleaver4485 Nope. "Their" is correct in that context.

[@Myndir]

Yes, I was impressed my the interviewer, who just asked the simple questions the most people would like to ask a linguist.

[@ubitubee]

10:11 "the literary standard is not what I've learned in the streets"... didn't know Chomsky was a homeboy

[@politics-bu3pw]

He have more street credit than most of us

[@ramirosan145]

ubitubee he's been arrested before. More than I can say for myself

[@Bejaardenbus]

Oh he is, Linguist between the sheets, Fuckboy in the Streets.

[@coreycox2345]

Yep. I think of the streets of New York as "the streets."

[@ayonmustafiz3804]

He’s a true OG

[@Labrynthetic]

"I picked up language from family, but was more influenced by my Philly Gang." - O.G. Chomsky

[@rossroderickwhitney]

Chomsky talks, off the cuff, the way great writers talk when they commit their thoughts to well edited, really fine books.

[@jonathankr]

It's nuts. His mastery of turning thought into language with such precision... Is so impressive.

[@StefanTravis]

More clarity and insight in half an hour than I've seen in many linguistics textbooks.

[@meri5731]

so much "clarity and insight", can you please explain what it is about?

[@lizzylu4660]

jose sanchez that made me laugh out loud, well done.

[@seamusoluasigh9296]

Indeed. I remember sitting through lectures on communication in which the lecturer was quoting Chomsky constantly and I didn't understand much of what he was saying, he bored the parse off me and I felt like kicking him up the parse. Chomsky makes it interesting and clear.

[@hariogb]

More than all my lecturers class combined.

[@henningokholm7912]

Totally. I discovered something more about language listening to this than any other.

[@Ahil982]

This man is endlessly fascinating.

[@indiomoustafa2047]

He just studies hard and eats his vegetables.

[@vvvvgggg]

@Owneador1337 Try to keep an open mind. Maybe you won't agree with everything you hear but he might make you think about some things in a different way.

[@vvvvgggg]

@Owneador1337 Fair enough. I can't judge because I don't know what you've heard. As a parting suggestion I'd only recommend seeing if a topic that you have no strong prior opinion of or one that's far enough away historically to have some objective distance on might be more palatable to get his take on.

[@philipjp2]

@Owneador1337 you dont understand or explain your argument coherently for you to dismiss chomsky for what you stated makes you look uninformed

[@Armando7654]

you're beyond pathetic

[@anonmyss]

You may find this helpful: 02:25 Language Changes 05:53 Pre Colonial/ U.S. 09:41 Literary Standard, Why do we teach grammar? 10:58 Learning Language is part of Human Growth / Prestige Language 11:36 Language and Power 12:42 “Good English”

[@nartinnecromancer3683]

Thank you!!

[@__Andrew_]

Thank you

[@gabrieleporru4443]

@@nartinnecromancer3683 Thank you very much

[@thequeertelope7941]

thank u my friend

[@aimz4178]

👏🏼

[@rumelali6306]

Noam is so humble its almost embarrassing to the audience and the way he explains things is so simple yet extremely subtle and is just sublime.

[@dog4317]

you just have to expand your vocabulary and then you’ll have the words for the thoughts you couldn’t articulate before

[@martm216]

I find Professor Chomsky very calming.

[@martm216]

Yes! That's captured exactly what I was thinking but couldn't quite express when I said that I found the Prof calming.

[@nicholasdedless4881]

My first reaction was to say just the opposite. I often find him extremely energizing but when I think a bit I think I get what you are saying. There can be times I'll just re-read something he's written just because I love following the arguments, his writing and conversation are a model to me of how a disciplined intellectual should communicate. And his speech is kind of calming, it's one of the things I've noticed working in political and science/engineering teams: the person who knows the most and commands the most respect is usually not the person who is loud and abusive but the ones that talk like Chomsky does, with calm authority.

[@martm216]

Nicholas Dedless Thanks for your comments. I agree entirely. To follow his arguments frequently requires considerable concentration, but the effort is well rewarded.

[@filmepics]

Martin Mitchell If you find him calming then you should read his book "On Anarchism" (politically, he is an anarchist, but forget your high-school definition of anarchy) or perhaps his "How the World Works."

[@JonChampaigne]

Nicholas Dedless those are some really astute observations. Chomsky is very deliberate and straight forward. He never seems like he is forcing a point.

[@kage-fm]

chomsky gives the impression of being casually superhuman

[@dpersonal4187]

Chomsky is a Zionist gatekeeper. As such, he ultimately supports the Deep State because it supports Israel, The Homeland of the Jews, which is why he doesn't actively promote third parties. He has openly said that he is a Zionist. And he's a liar: www.gilad.co.uk/writings/chomsky-bds-and-the-jewish-left-paradigm.html

[@KeboEdan1]

@@dpersonal4187 Ooooppssss...missed taking our meds today, did we???

[@dpersonal4187]

@@KeboEdan1 Yes, thanks, just took my meds. Chomsky is a traitor to the US and his pretend ideals. WALTER LIPPMAN created the phrase "Manufacturing Consent" and Chomsky stole it. Edward Bernays had another word for it, "Engineering Consent". Chomsky CO-WROTE 'Manufacturing Consent' with Herman who wrote MOST of the book, and then Chomsky went on to take credit for all of it. Lipman and Bernays wrote about it years before Chomsky stole it. Want to hear more about how he's a Zionist gatekeeper?

[@subversivelysurreal3645]

kage : He hides it well!

[@subversivelysurreal3645]

D Personal : Don’t do much Reading, do you...?! Chomsky cites Benays and Lippmann.

[@TsetsiStoyanova]

He is so well-versed... a total genius

[@engagementengagement8836]

@Sad Sack prove that your nutjob conspiracies exist first

[@rh5466]

@Sad Sack Forget to take your medication, Sad?

[@RealNormHall]

Yeah but he literally like gets no hoes 🙅

[@spacekitt.n]

@Sad Sack shut up

[@gloogundtrug5052]

Chomsky is a con artist, and at that a sad one -the sadness eluding the like of your kind of admirers. Which is quite genially humorous athough this joke again is on him ... none ever forced him to answer questions he hasn't fully figured out for himself, or was he?

[@ZombieProdigyUS]

Can we take a moment to applaud the interviewer? He let Chomsky speak for long stretches uninterupted, which NEVER happens today. I hope he went far. :)

[@Saber23]

That really shows you the cesspool that modern journalism has become

[@robertharper5047]

Less than 30 minutes and not a wasted second in either question or answers. Superb exchange.

[@user-up7nb6id1f]

Editing teams be like: 😐

[@ShynyMagikarp]

lots of these questions are not very good questions for a riveting Q&A. they're mostly low ball for someone like Chomsky because many of the things they discuss here are taught in a first year linguistics course, even in the mid 90's I assume (altho can't say for sure), but for a general Q&A for wider audiences it's great!

[@stephanwilliams8082]

This man has helped me to become more interested in linguistics.

[@gauravmahajan5094]

knowledge itself for me

[@kingboo843]

​@@gauravmahajan5094 Google Terrence Mckenna and his views on language...they are not contradicting Chomsky's..but they do add a broader viewing angle on language.

[@manelreggane7938]

So you could help me with linguistic?

[@eemoogee160]

@@kingboo843 Culture is not our friend~^^

[@briancooley8777]

I’ve always been interested in linguistics

[@kinky_Z]

I attended a lecture by Chomsky a few years ago at ASU in conversation with physicist Lawrence Krauss. Krauss was super-interested in AI machine learning and the possibility of creating a thinking, conscious, self-aware sentient being and what would that be like. Chomsky said that language began first with just thought only manifesting later with physical expression through lips, body, dance, music. That lecture was kind of an epiphany for me.

[@REDPUMPERNICKEL]

I am most interested in finding a theory that, in statements seemingly self evident, explains with crystal clarity, exactly how it is that matter and culture have collaborated in making this mysterious 'being' I call my conscious self. The theory that comes closest among the few I've encountered is marvelously presented in Julian Jaynes' great book, "The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind". The writing has the clarity of Sam Harris and the literary flavour of Darwin and Dickens. Language lies at the heart of the theory. Just wondering if you've read it.

[@locomotive9702]

Isn’t Chomsky like 96? He still gives lectures?

[@REDPUMPERNICKEL]

@@locomotive9702 After one turns 65 or so a few years ago may easily mean 20.

[@locomotive9702]

@@REDPUMPERNICKEL Ah.

[@REDPUMPERNICKEL]

@@CippiCippiCippi Different strokes for different folks takes on a whole new meaning. lol Where did that come from? What I meant to say was more like... I have a relativity theory. When one is two a year is half a lifetime. When one is ten a year is ten percent. When one is 65 a year is just a tiny fraction and memory is funny.

[@adithyaadiga85]

Language is a web of unbelievable wonders. Language dictates our life in every way. Chomsky clears it out how language does impact our thought system and its representations. Very lovely interview

[@MCSorry]

And that's why we need to gut linguistic, literature and philosophy programs in universities as much as possible.

[@zharkoo]

This guy literally never fails to impress

[@JFKMLKRFKGHWB]

except when speaking full truth

[@bammbamm12]

Read Tom Wolfe's "The Kingdom of Speech" - you'll change your mind.

[@dansaunders1655]

@@bammbamm12 The Pirahã tribe was and is, in fact, capable of learning Portuguese with no more education than, say, you or I would need to learn a foreign language. The rebuttal of Chomsky's theory by Daniel Everett, and Wolfe's endorsement thereof, are, therefore, both complete bollocks. Moreover, the idea that there exists a sub-group of the same species as the rest of us who mysteriously lack a fundamental neural pattern that the rest of the *species* happens to have is outlandish at best, so it definitely requires more rigour than the negligent Everett and the egregiously biased Wolfe ever saw fit to give it. Darwin's theory was evidenced by the existence of vestigial organs, to name but one point. I also find it more than a little naive of Wallace to immediately assume that God instilled man with language just because he couldn't figure out how it happened over time, and more naive still of Wolfe to side with him. In summary, the book's shit. Worth a read regardless

[@dansaunders1655]

@@bammbamm12 also Wolfe said Einstein discovered the speed of light lmaooo

[@grip2617]

Well, he surely impresses adolescent. They are easy to be impressed by any shit.

[@evalsoftserver]

Noam Chomsky, Influenced Computer science and programming language considerably on his research into transformational grammar framework

[@MegaDiva1999]

huh-who knew...wow

[@otoolepw]

TheMedia-Hacker shit no, really?!? how?

[@MafiaFLairBeatz]

@alexanderbretta really? fuck :D (knew that before though)

[@AaronMartinProfessional]

alexanderbretta hahahaha gotta love your no bs attitude, sir! 😂

[@southpaws6814]

@@AaronMartinProfessional sometimes people need help ... ask, you never know! ;-)

[@wadesmith666]

I could listen to Noam all day, what a massive, humble, intellect

[@gelperez]

The way he explains things so calmly is very fascinating. This has opened my eyes to a new world of understanding of how we learn and teach a certain language.

[@akshatsingh5528]

So, I have no interest in linguists or anything, yet it was in my recommended. I don't know why I watched this whole video however I can't help but admit how interesting it was.The interviewer asked such interesting questions and Noam gave the answers so eloquently. Can't help but wonder how dumb and close minded I would've been if it wasn't for the Internet.

[@KabirChattopadhyay1991]

I don't think so, brother. From your comment and from your eagerness to watch a video on a subject you didn’t have any interest in, I think you are naturally an intelligent and open-minded person. The internet is weird. It does not change us, just makes us more of who we are. I know a lot of dumb and narrow-minded people, who do not try to open their minds, but seek out things on the internet which actively make them dumber and more narrow-minded!

[@user-up7nb6id1f]

We’re you honestly close-minded you would have skipped this video.

[@imranq9241]

If we were alive 50 years ago we would say that about libraries, and 100 years ago we would say that about newspapers, and 300 years ago we would say that about the town crier maybe. The internet makes it much easier for sure, but we still have to meet it with our own attitudes.

[@scratchoriginalsdh]

Right???!!!? (To your last statement.) I guarantee if I had heard this lecture as the 12 year old child I was at the time, it would have inspired and stuck with me for life.

[@yjuppa]

you HAD no interest (:

[@kevinjones8488]

This editing is really humorous. The interviewer seems to abruptly and unnaturally interrupt Chomsky with his l'esprit d'escalier to Chomsky’s counter of his question.

[@halimafodili9689]

I love how honest he is . His speech is direct and clear. Amazing

[@user-hm2vv8fe9b]

The way he explained the whole idea of language and linguistics is so charismatic that I literally fell goosebumps all over my body. Thank you for existing "Noam Chomsky", I swear, legends like you are changing the lives of students aspiring to know more about language and its various related factors.

[@lukerogers151]

Noam Chomsky doesn't have to be in quotation marks.

[@nicosilv3r]

Everyone has a different understanding of langage. They might want to express a vocal intonation to the reader for example@@lukerogers151

[@Euroglotable]

Such a genius and what a beautiful calm voice he has

[@JoseMendoza-dl2xx]

Reminds me of Stephen Colbert, except for the screaming and high pitched voice...

[@greatmcluhansghost7134]

"when you're taught rules of you own language in grade school...your actual language nobody teaches you. it grows in your head...you don't learn it anymore than you learn to see..."

[@philippebuch]

Great Professor Noam Chomsky. I wish I could learn in a classroom where he is teaching. Very calming and relaxing voice also. I think it comes from his deep voice and the very articulate way he speaks out the words. God bless you! 😁👍

[@nkvk2810]

Soft. Humble. Consistent. Detailed. Professor Chomsky is a legend.

[@nblumer]

i like the way Chomsky prefaces so many of his comments about the human mind and nature by saying "of which we know very little about". He knows his boundaries of knowledge but more importantly knows the human limitations of conception.

[@paulheinrichdietrich9518]

Still, as a good anglo-american he is way to skeptical for my liking

[@dieselheart1]

Perhaps he knows how State control of language truncates human perception.

[@TheKuroneka]

Really smart people know that in fact our knowledge about everything is limited, and only only Instagram gurus and stupid people believe they know everything

[@qamaromerer4633]

he is such a calm person.

[@user-vu9gv6zk7w]

I'm a high school language teacher and I"be been in the profession for over 22 years now. Chomsky's outstanding books on language and linguistics were the ones I frequently read and refer to and they had paramount contribution for my successful achievements in my career for those years May God bless him with healthy, blissful and peaceful life, Amen.

[@shashanksharma7242]

Chomsky is a legend also respect for the interviewer as the questions are all brilliant.

[@javierharth3647]

Prof. Noam Chomsky a lovable man. Wise, simple, and brilliant. He is a treasure trove of knowledge. I absorb his teachings and search for them. Good fun!!

[@hayteren]

This is exactly why the fatherless take his words to be gospel.

[@mechtheist]

Great find, a rather condensed showcase for Chomsky's undeniable brilliance across so many disciplines. Chomsky is without peer, and I'm going to cry when he's gone.

[@nyb_ok]

He's going to be 90 in few days

[@sonjaluonga]

I am honestly afraid. He has been our watch post...our moral standpoint. I look to him when I don't understand an international or multinational situation. I have a library of his books...I get the philosophy but having a wide ranged and honest perspective of individual situations is so daunting. He reads all of the newspapers....I trust his point of view. I truly am worried.

[@kaywanzuher8314]

Here is a guy from Iraqi Kurdistan who will cry with you when he’s gone. Chomsky has been fascinating me since the very first time I listen to him.

[@RWCoker]

mechtheist he’s not gone yet. Don’t kill him!

[@Toto8opus]

We all are going to be dead soon enough. But we can make our loved ones live for ever in ourselves. By being faithful to their teaching for instance. Luckily, Noam's legacy is going to be enormous.

[@silvertoner1]

His thinking is seamless. Amazing

[@wecas9596]

This is one of the most brilliantly enlightening discourses I've ever hear.

[@craiasanoptii]

Listening to Noam Chomsky makes me feel so peaceful, what a powerful man.

[@karebushmarebu233]

pfft i heard he can't even whistle and his bee bop jazz skat its mediocre at best. Not impressed :/

[@moesypittounikos]

My aunt emigrated to Cyprus with two teenage daughters and the 2 year old girl. After about 1 year the little 3 year old girl was speaking fluent grammatically correct Greek, just how Chomsky described. The girl was translating for her elder sisters who only learnt as adults do, very difficult. What Chomsky was saying is so true. Language seems to be a savant skill we all have. This language power switches off at around the age of 5. Empiricists who try to argue against Chomsky are going against the evidence.

[@danielsmyth8526]

Jayne mansfield

[@DJW56]

@@makatelli ....how nice 4 you. 😯

[@benhallo1553]

Language and Programming Channel where can I find this study? Can you tell me the name.

[@benhallo1553]

@Language and Programming Channel there are a lot of studies mate. a specific name/date would be useful

[@Fabsurf101]

We need people like Chomsky to articulate the complexity of human perception and what language defines us.

[@ilyasantonov212]

Chomsky's speech has a combination of calmness and energy that I love

[@kunlin579]

It's very interesting to see the interviewer throwing out the concept that language is so special and trying to get a linguist to further develop and appraise it, but the linguist keeps responding that it's not much different from any other things that are perceived by our other senses.

[@SDRUFFA]

Trust me, language is perceived INSIDE the senses, therefore they grow in latents underlaid realities which affect memory and consequently the way you perceive reality and the way you'll interact with it in future. Advertises are a science at this. Let's say that language is a mystical connection between sight and hearing. And of course a connective thing like this has been invented by women.

[@FaitBasj]

wtf lol stupid

[@tsvetkovprelude]

@@SDRUFFA Can you try to be a little more vague. Not vague enough.

[@MrAnperm]

@@SDRUFFA Never trust a person who starts by saying, "trust me".

[@arsenal4444]

@@SDRUFFA I'm in the future now and my interaction with this is confusion.

[@dinnerwithfranklin2451]

Professor Chomsky is always a treat to listen to. I've never come away without having learned something

[@dinnerwithfranklin2451]

@Rosetta Stoned As I don't want to be ignorant I very much do.

[@dinnerwithfranklin2451]

@Rosetta Stoned That is very good to know. I'm pleased you are still around.

[@TerrorTerros]

This man is capable of explaining quite complex concepts with such apparent ease and unmistakable clarity, just amazes me.

[@brunnovoronkoff4510]

His mind is so fast! So articulated! It is truly pleasant to hear him like we wanna keep hearing his words for hours.

[@yinoveryang4246]

This is incredible. You can learn more about language and its history in the half an hour of this video, than in a whole course. Probably Chomsky at his most lucid.

[@elenaherwagen3529]

I was studying linguistics at the university in the USSR in 70s. Our old distinguished professor B.N.Golovin started every lecture with this mantra: "Mister Noam Chomsky (he pronounced "Khomsky") thinks language to be a construct. That's wrong." :)) That was the best advertising of Chomsky's structural linguistics and his philosophy of language. If I were told back then, that in 20 years I would live a 20-minute from him, and attend a few lectures by Chomsky (on politics, though), I'd never believe. Let alone watching this talk on the phone in my backyard now. Life is fascinating!

[@cedricrust9953]

how did your prof get that idea about Chomsky? He has always argued that language is an inherent faculty of humans

[@elenaherwagen3529]

@@cedricrust9953 From Transformational Analysis. (1955), Syntactic Structures (1957), Theory of Generative Grammar (1966), to name a few. These works by Chomsky were quite popular with Russian linguists. To our old professor’s credit, it was him, who established the Structural Linguistics subdepartment within his school of General Linguistics, and that was my major.

[@adilmaghribi7024]

I think what attracts me the most about noam chomsky is his humility in being able to say when he or we as humans don't know something. He has no problem saying we know very little about subjects instead of making logical jumps or assumptions. I think that intellectual honesty is whats missing from most modern day intellectuals.

[@Youbettersaysubhanallah]

Al Salamu 'alaykom wa rahmatu Allah wa barakatuh, i found it interesting to show you this : 26:05 to 26:50 ﷽ Surah Al-Baqarah 2:31 ( verse/ ayah 31) وَعَلَّمَ ءَادَمَ ٱلْأَسْمَآءَ كُلَّهَا ثُمَّ عَرَضَهُمْ عَلَى ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ فَقَالَ أَنۢبِـُٔونِى بِأَسْمَآءِ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ إِن كُنتُمْ صَٰدِقِينَ

[@fjordhellas4077]

Professor Chomsky, you are monumental. Thank you!

[@kaidevir]

I've learnt so much just by listening to your answers to these commonly misleading questions. Thanks, professor Noam Chomsky.

[@cappsbriley]

We take so many answers for granted, without understanding why or how they are true.

[@richikghosh861]

The only negative part of this interview is that it ends.

[@paulgreenwood2895]

Yeah, definitely could have watched another half an hour of that!

[@FunOrange]

19:00 "Let me bring up another area you can claim you have no expertise in, and that's the use of humor" Damn the interviewer just roasted him

[@tony.bickert]

I missed that! But I suspect the interviewer did not mean to jab Noam like that. LMAO!

[@kennethmarshall306]

Actually, Chomsky does use humour as a rhetorical tool. Of the driest kind

[@9ela]

I have a great linguistics professor but damn what an honor it would be to hear Noam speak in person, to be there when he gives one of his lectures. Thank you for making me think about everything.

[@zuperduperboi]

Lol that last line... little did he know he would still be intellectually wrecking everyone in 2017

[@user-ld7qh1ub1x]

2019

[@andrejjovicevic7433]

He wasn't even wrecking people back in 1971. let alone now.

[@alecthackery4129]

plus on totally different, more complex subjects

[@hayteren]

Chompers convoluted diatribes mean nothing by his own admission.

[@beybye8366]

Вячеслав Тельнов 2020

[@eternalseeker6820]

An absolute delight. Like listening to (the music of) Mozart. Thank you for uploading.

[@jaantorv4991]

What a giant intellect. His knowledge, recall and analysis has always been formidable.

[@neurozee6598]

Chomsky is a National Treasure, there is so much to learn from his lectures. We are fortunate in living in this age of easy access to knowledge when we weed out garbage.

[@markrudolf7567]

I'm so glad to have found a Chomsky quote on poetry!

[@juliavaghy6104]

25:24 "What we call definitions, are not definitions. They are just hints."

[@Youbettersaysubhanallah]

I found it interesting so please check these verses , it makes so much sense 26:05 to 26:50 ﷽ Surah Al-Baqarah 2:31 ( verse/ ayah 31) وَعَلَّمَ ءَادَمَ ٱلْأَسْمَآءَ كُلَّهَا ثُمَّ عَرَضَهُمْ عَلَى ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ فَقَالَ أَنۢبِـُٔونِى بِأَسْمَآءِ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ إِن كُنتُمْ صَٰدِقِينَ

[@obomartin5316]

One of the greats interviews I ever heard . I come back to it often and I take great solace in these ideas about how fluid language is . Being a dyslexic poet It gives me great permission to play with poetic license and create new words new meanings and new worlds to walk in

[@samanthataylor1761]

Tops to the interviewer man. Great questions and overall engagement. They’re clearly both the top of their game. 👏🏽👏🏽

[@NonArkara-hl7mc]

This talk is timeless. It's key to our deeply sensible understanding of how we might have evolved to communicate with one another through the medium of languages.

[@cynthiagarnham1157]

From an early age it is vital to the human development (perhaps how humans have spread all over world?) that a child learns to socialise with those it comes into contact with. Learning the acceptable ways of behaving( according to the local cultural norms), learning communication skills thru acquiring words that mean something to the child, but, also mean the same to those around. Misunderstanding words, can lead to disaster!

[@tatianafoule6257]

It's more crear, and more than that.

[@brainphelps1994]

During his study on linguistics Chomsky is known to have utilized a wide array of educational tools, in order to have such a comprehensive knowledge of sentence structure, grammatical devices, it was very important for Chomsky to utilize these tools to great effect. Surprisingly, when asked how he learned the common structure of a sentence, which is a universal foundation of all language, he is on record admitting that the Schoolhouse Rock songs and music videos were his most valuable asset in his study of language. He continues to recommend The Tale of Mr. Morton as an required viewing for anyone entering the field.

[@politics-bu3pw]

+Brain Phelps Are you serious? Thats awesome

[@ernststravoblofeld]

Never trust anyone who uses the word "utilize" unironically. Especially when they use it wrong in a comment on a linguistics video.

[@rudde7918]

That sentence structure is fundementally similar in all language is just Chomsky's theory. It has been more and more criticized in recent times.

[@ConeTheBoss559]

​@@ernststravoblofeld According to the Oxford Learner's Dictionary utilize something (as something) means to use something, especially for a practical purpose I'd say it's used properly. You may have a bias towards the word, though, and if that is the case I am truly sorry if you were somehow hurt.

[@ernststravoblofeld]

@@ConeTheBoss559 That's nice.

[@davidnmfarrell]

Loved the sound of the casio being adjusted at the end

[@michaeldrew3292]

Love this. Apart from how insightful this discussion is, I love his smile paused at the end. Such a humble man.

[@bawol-official]

Crazy that after dedicating his entire life to the science of language and the philosophy associated with it, Noam is so self aware of the absurdity of the constructs we spent the majority of our life’s imposing these strange limits on society

[@los-one]

This man is so well educated. It’s very inspiring. I need to read more. 🥰.

[@Hannilux]

26:44 love how the producer indicates with the beep of clock that time is running out :)

[@BJRUThere]

Excellent interview. One of the best I've ever watched.

[@321ian]

It’s fascinating how brilliant he is. Maybe it’s because I’m only a layman when It comes to linguistics, but literally everything he says blows my mind.

[@baran6187]

I could watch this interview for eternity.

[@JohnSmith-hq6fl]

Very eloquent and calming. I can listen forever.

[@toopieare]

Thank you KZbin for putting this in my recommendations.

[@kasnarfburns210]

There was a time that I unexpectedly came across the political/philosophical writings of Noam Chomsky in a very indirect manner. I remember thinking that his name looked so familiar -- in another context. Then it dawned on me that I had read references to and/or passages written by Chomsky when I had taken linguistic courses in my pursuit of an English degree. I've since been reading his political writings primarily -- more so than the linguistic. In any case, he's always interesting. I'm glad I came across this old interview.

[@valeriamartinez-ll4ob]

)

[@nowammies9986]

It's crazy this mans was already 60 when he did this interview, still going strong

[@brotigayen6858]

It is always a pleasant experience to listen to Chomsky.

[@jasayassa6065]

26:56 31 years later, in his 90s, Noam is still answering very hard to answer questions... cheers Noam! Thank you!

[@Treiundzwanzig]

Did anyone else find the abrupt edits to the interviewer hilarious?

[@stephensullivan1879]

Yes

[@pattyayers]

Annoying

[@topYTenjoyer]

like Borat or Ali G

[@Agos226]

Legit looked like they just filmed Chomsky talking for 30 minutes and edited in questions after the fact haha

[@__Andrew_]

My guess is they only had one camera available, or some similar limitation, and had to re-record the interviewers questions on camera afterwards.would have been and still is common practice but is usually stitched together with a bit more finesse ;)

[@kasahunabera1294]

Great to listen and learn from this moving library of Language !

[@likethatnice]

I get such a unique aura from this video. Not from Mr. Chomsky, but of the background behind him, the subtle VHS hiss, and the bland turn of the 80s decade feeling. Before our reliance on technology, relying on dusty bookshelves, artificial room plants, and boring carpets.

[@simpleravenraven6358]

Now 30 years later his mind never deteriorated.

[@hayteren]

Because when you start at zero you can't go lower

[@eltonwongtv4474]

yes but foreal, his volume has just gotten quieter every year

[@hayteren]

@Ebenezer Suresh Yeah as long as you don't know what that is.

[@astro6393]

Indeed.....

[@baiwatch1]

I have never seen Noam blindsided by a question. He has an example memorized to support every statement he makes. He only says things that are backed up by his research.

[@JDG-hq8gy]

Reminds me of Bernie Sanders in debates

[@mouaragon2774]

This interview is even more meaningful nowadays that inclusive language is a conversation in multiple languages.

[@rezamahan7109]

the sheer intelligence, humility and warmth of Chomsky always fascinated me

[@lisalovelylpa]

Jeez if I heard him talk about languages when I was a teen I would of studied languages !!! I loved his comment about China , we learned it as a yellow place lol

[@brady3126]

Lisa Lovely LPA - You can still study languages :)

[@daszieher]

@@brady3126 my thoughts, exactly. My secret is to learn them one at a time and associate a deep necessity to the task. You'll see, success is just a chat away.

[@yongjilv234]

你现在也可以试试 :)

[@everynewdayisablessing8509]

Start with English.

[@love_amiguel4129]

@@everynewdayisablessing8509 LMFAO

[@davidfoley8546]

"We bring up another area you can claim you have no expertise in, and that's the use of humor." Interviewer lowkey roasted Chomsky here

[@daszieher]

I wouldn't agree on that assumption. Chomsky quite humourously claims to have no expertise on this, as - at least according to him - there is no serious expertise or knowledge to be had on humour. In my view, the interviewer is just playing back that ball. No need to roast anyone at all time.

[@__Andrew_]

@@daszieher + DF I enjoyed both your comments Ref @19m

[@dr.srikant2251]

very informative video and erudite lecture on language changes over time and how the idea of a national language is a modern phenomenon by Chomsky

[@raghulohiya3883]

Thanks for this archival video

[@syourke3]

In order to understand the world we live in, we first have to unlearn and debunk most of what we were taught in school, especially K through 12. Chomsky's writings on imperialism, politics, the mass media and propaganda have been very helpful to me in this respect.

[@fishblades]

Steven Yourke As brilliant as he is in some areas his politics are horrible. Part of his ideology involves direct democracy. I don't understand how anyone can think that's a good idea, but plenty of people do.

[@zico739]

Steven Yourke Chomsky's writings on politics and society are garbage. But, the real issue is you bringing this up on a video about fucking languages. Try not being a leftist ideologue.

[@zico739]

fishblades Plenty of people is being generous, but yea, you got a nice chunk of young folks falling for his crap.

[@M.-.D]

+zico739 care to provide points of his contributions which are worthy of being called garbage.

[@pasteleater1527]

fishblades I'm pretty sure this is sarcasm. But Zico's comment made me doubt. This is sarcasm, right? RIGHT??

[@tomk2747]

The man is amazing and extremely smart!

[@atwaterpub]

Enlightening discussion. Thank you for uploading.

[@dr.babasahebgore1665]

Nice Explanation regarding the Concept of Language Thank you Noam Chomsky Sir.

[@mchammer3432]

Seeing a younger quicker speaking Chomsky is always refreshing.. love the man but damn getting old sucks balls... any who... seeing someone so well spoken and educated on this subject as many others.. just shows you.. when you are with it and on point.. it holds up over time...

[@philipcarter4532]

Wow! A thumbs up is not enough to express how good this video is.

[@tombryan1]

He makes you think deeply, and that is a good thing.

[@amitpurushottam5937]

Chomsky "Father of linguistics",and i fully agree with all his theories,language acquisition theory excellent,and consider Noam Chomsky to be inspiring and motivating.Thank You for real effort in research and development.

[@subversivelysurreal3645]

I was never taught ‘rules’ as a child. The theory being that one would learn how to write by reading! I never knew about ‘ Tenses’ until I was ten, and finally ‘taught’ French!

[@ggrthemostgodless8713]

One question: Are you suggesting that people wanting to learn a language should learn to read and speak and writing will come easier IF YOU ALREADY KNOW HOW TO WRITE IN YOUR LANGUAGE?? I learned a language by traditional ways, at a language school, one hour writing, one hour reading, one hour attempting to speak, one hour for new vocabulary... it was hard as hell for about eight months, then it, the advancement, became a lot easier and faster.