Noam Chomsky has often commented on why the field of linguistics, especially the kind of theoretical linguistics he developed, found a home at MIT rather than Harvard. The reasons can be attributed to a combination of academic environment, institutional openness to new ideas, and specific historical contexts. Here are some key points:
1. Academic Environment and Interdisciplinary Openness at MIT
MIT, known for its strong emphasis on science and engineering, provided an environment that was open to new, formal, and computational approaches to the study of language. Chomsky's theories, which involved formal mathematical models and abstract representations of linguistic knowledge, resonated well with the scientific and engineering ethos at MIT.
2. Institutional Flexibility
MIT's institutional structure was more flexible and open to interdisciplinary research compared to the more traditional academic departments at Harvard. This flexibility allowed for the integration of linguistics with other fields such as cognitive science, computer science, and artificial intelligence, which were also emerging disciplines at the time.
3. Historical Context and Key Figures
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, linguistics was undergoing a significant transformation. Chomsky's work on generative grammar was revolutionary, and it required an academic setting that was willing to embrace radical new ideas. At MIT, there were influential figures like Morris Halle and Roman Jakobson who supported Chomsky's work and helped establish a strong linguistics program.
4. Resistance to New Ideas at Harvard
Harvard, with its more established and traditional approach to linguistics and humanities, was less receptive to Chomsky's formal and mathematical approach to language. The linguistic tradition at Harvard was more focused on descriptive and historical linguistics, which contrasted sharply with Chomsky's generative grammar.
5. Role of Research Funding and Support
MIT's ability to secure research funding and its focus on innovation played a crucial role. The environment at MIT was conducive to the kind of groundbreaking and interdisciplinary research that Chomsky was conducting, supported by funding from sources that were interested in the intersection of linguistics, computer science, and cognitive studies.
Finally
The establishment of linguistics at MIT rather than Harvard was due to a combination of MIT's openness to interdisciplinary and formal approaches, institutional flexibility, support from key figures, and the historical context of the time. Chomsky's innovative ideas found a more suitable and supportive home at MIT, allowing him and his colleagues to revolutionize the field of linguistics.
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