Noam Chomsky is considered the father of modern linguistics. He proposed the theory of Universal Grammar, which suggests that all humans are born with an innate Language Acquisition Device that allows them to learn any human language. According to Chomsky, this disproves behaviorist claims that language learning is based solely on habit formation and environment. Chomsky developed the theory of transformational grammar using concepts like deep structure and surface structure. Ferdinand de Saussure is considered the father of modern linguistics. He introduced important linguistic concepts like the distinction between langue and parole, the linguistic sign made up of the signifier and signified, and the difference between the synchronic and diachronic approaches to studying language.

1. By
Abdul Rehman

2. Linguists
Noam Chomsky
(1928-?) United States
Ferdinand De Saussure:-
(1857-1913) Switzerland

3.  Noam Chomsky was born on December 7, 1928.
 One of the most famous linguists of the twentieth
century
 He is an American linguist, philosopher, cognitive
scientist, political commentator and activist
 Who is commonly consider “Father of modern
linguistics.”

4. Contributions
Innate theory
Language Acquisition
Device (LAD).
Transformational
Grammar
Universal Grammar (UG)

5. Grammatical sentence
structures
A Surface Structure
 Surface Structures are input to
the phonological components
which describes their sounds.
 Surface Structure determines
sounds
A Deep Structure
 Deep structure are input to the
semantic component, which describes
their meanings.
 Deep structure determines meaning
Transformational rules transform a sentence with a given grammatical
structure into a sentence with a different grammatical structure but
the same essential meaning.
For example : John saw Mary  Mary was seen by John.

6. Main behaviorists claim:
All learning, including language learning is the product of
habit formation.
We learn through imitation and repetition
An annatist theory.
According to Chomsky, crucial parts of the human language
ability are built into the brain-part of our biology ,
programmed into our genes .

7.  It says that the ability to learn grammar is manifested by itself without
being taught.
 The theory of universal grammar was proposed suggesting that all children
are born with ability to acquire ,develop and understand grammar
regardless of where they are raised noun/verb category
 Children have the natural ability to combine nouns and verbs in to a correct
and meaningful order
UG + input = Grammar.

8. Chomsky asserts that in the brain exists an
innate device to acquire languages. This is
what he called “Language Acquisition
Device”, which allows people learning and
using the language. Language is acquired
because humans are biologically
programmed to do so.

9.  He is a 19th century Swiss Linguist.
 Saussure sometimes is called as the father of
“Modern Linguistics”.
 He never published any major work on linguists
 After his death his students collected together
his lecture notes and published them in a small
volume

10. Langue and Parole
Sign, Signified, Signifier
Synchronic view and Diachronic view
 Paradigmatic and Syntagmatic

11. Language
Langue Parole
‘Langue’ means the abstract
knowledge of the language
The langue is combination of
Phonetics & Phonology
Syntax, Morphology Semantics
and pragmatics of the language
.
Community knowledge
The term ‘Parole’ refers to the
actual use of language by the
speaker.
Parole is the act of speaking

12. Sign is an object for example Blub is a sign the pronunciation of the word Blub
to show the concept / object Blub is this is signifier and the understanding of
the concept Blub by the listener is termed as signified the term Blub.
The Signified is the concept,
the meaning, the indicated by
the signifier.
The Signifier is the pointing
finger , the word , the sound –
image.
BLUB
SignifierSignifiedSign

13. SYNCHRONIC
 Synchronic linguistics sees
a language as a living
whole.
 Existing, at a particular
time.
 It describes language’s
characteristics without
considering the historical
developments.
DIACHRONIC
 A historical linguist is
associated with the
diachronic view of a
language study.
 Historical change in a
language is studied under
the domain of Diachronic
linguistics

14. SYNTAGMATIC
 A term, ‘syntagmatic’ that
refers to the sequential
characteristics
 He got a letter (to receive).
 He got tired (to become).
 He got to London (to arrive).
PARADIGMATIC
 A term paradigmatic describes
the substitutable relationship
 Important for the
classification of words