The report came as the 95-year-old’s wife, Valeria Wasserman, dismissed media reports that Chomsky had died, saying in an email to AFP: “It’s false. He is well.” The newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo reported that Chomsky was recently taken to a hospital in the city after a stroke a year ago left him with difficulty to speak and move the right side of his body. The couple have a home in Sao Paulo.
Chomsky first became known in the 1950s with the revolutionary theory that the ability to form structured language was innate. He became an outspoken activist on an array of issues from US intervention in Vietnam to labor rights and the environment.
Born on December 7, 1928, Chomsky is a renowned American linguist, philosopher, cognitive scientist, historian, social critic, and political activist. He is often hailed as the “father of modern linguistics” for his groundbreaking work in the field. Chomsky’s theories have profoundly influenced the study of language, particularly through his development of the theory of generative grammar, which explores the innate structures of language and how humans acquire it.
Beyond linguistics, Chomsky has made significant contributions to philosophy and cognitive science, challenging established norms and proposing innovative ideas about the nature of human thought and understanding. His work in these areas often intersects with his political views, which are marked by a strong critique of political power structures, media manipulation, and economic inequality. Chomsky is a prolific writer and speaker, known for his articulate and often controversial opinions on U.S. foreign policy, corporate power, and social justice.
Throughout his career, Chomsky has been a faculty member at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he has taught for over six decades. His extensive body of work includes numerous books, articles, and public lectures, making him one of the most cited scholars in modern history. Despite his extensive academic achievements, Chomsky remains a committed activist, advocating for peace, human rights, and environmental sustainability.
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