Known as the “Father of modern linguistics”, Noam Chomsky is a significant figure in linguistics, who played a key role in re-shaping the study of language.
Noam Chomsky is an American Linguists and a philosopher, recognized as the founder of the generative and universal grammar theories.
He is the author of over 150 books covering a variety of topics on linguistics and politics.
As a linguist professor, does Chomsky only speaks English; or if he is a bilingual or a hyper-polyglot.
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What languages does Noam Chomsky speak?
As a linguistics professor, Noam Chomsky can speak any of the languages he teaches.
Being American by birth, Chomsky obviously speaks English.
His parents were Hebrews and Hebrews teachers; it is assumed he speaks Hebrews as well.
He has been severally recorded responding to a French interviewer without an interpreter. Some of his works have been also issued in Spanish.
Therefore, that makes it at least 4 languages that Noam Chomsky speaks because of his early dispositions in life.
Chomsky’s quick bio
Full Name | Avram Noam Chomsky |
---|---|
Date of Birth | December 7, 1928 (age 93 as of 2022) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
Spouse(s) | Carol Doris Schatz(m. 1949; died 2008) Valeria Wasserman (m. 2014) |
Occupation | Linguist | Philosopher | Cognitive scientist | Historical essayist | Political activist |
Children | 3 |
Parent(s) | William Chomsky & Elsie Simonofsky |
How Many Languages Does Chomsky Speak?
While the aptitude of speaking is inherent to all humans, speaking a language goes beyond the pronunciation, the history of words and/or the interpretation of its codes.
Speaking generally refers to a level of proficiency on vocal, behavioral and written expressions of one’s feelings, thoughts and opinions.
According to Gretchen McCulloch, only half of the linguists are bilingual or trilingual, about a quarter would be monolingual, and about a quarter have four or more languages at a decent level.
With a fluent expression in at least 4 languages, Noam Chomsky is part of this last group: the hyper-polyglots.
Does Noam Chomsky Speak French?
Yes, there is obvious evidence that Noam Chomsky understand and speak French language with ease.
He once answered an interview in French without any need for translation.
We can only assume that over the years of practicing and being immersed in a French speaking environment, Chomsky developed the capacity to speak French.
Noam Chomsky’s 10 best books
How the World Works? | 2010 |
Who rules the world? | 2014 |
Requiem for the American Dream. | 2017 |
On Anarchism. | 2005 |
Media Control. | 1991 |
Hegemony of Survival | 2003 |
Profit Over People. | 1999 |
Understanding Power. | 2002 |
The Climate Crisis and the Global Green New Deal. | 2020 |
Consequences of Capitalism. | 2020 |
FINAL THOUGHTS on How many Languages does Noam Chomsky Speak
As the father of the generative language theory, we assume Chomsky can speaks as many languages as possible.
However, though acquiring and developing a language would be innate to all humans, the proficiency in a language is acquired through regular interactions in the said language.
Does Noan Chomsky speak more languages than this African Polyglot?