Modern linguistics has seen the advent of many different views on language. Starting with Noam Chomsky, arguably one of the most influential figures in recent linguistics, new theories and ideas have been introduced at a rapid pace. Partly because of his status as a revitalizer in the field, but also because of his often controversial theories, Chomsky maintains a place at the center of this discussion. His search for a universal grammar and his critique of pure descriptivism have enlightened generations of researchers. Much of this has been reactionary against him, but his influence cannot be ignored. His theories of a universal grammar have inspired writers on both sides of the debate. Paul Hopper opposes this view, opposing his own emerging grammar. Dell Hymes later writes, claiming that he attempts to completely transcend the traditional concept of grammars. Because of Chomsky's influence, it can be illuminating to trace the development of modern linguistics through his criticism. Before examining Chomsky's own theories, it is useful to consider the dominant scientific views on linguistics prior to his writings, descriptivism. The goal of descriptive linguistics is to describe all aspects of a given language in great detail. This description takes place at several levels: at the phonemic level, at the morphemic level, at the syntactic level and sometimes further. Thus, they categorize the sounds of a language and the meaning of these sounds. What differentiates descriptivists from many later schools of thought is that this is where descriptivists stop. They do not pursue a more general theory of language beyond an individual basis; English is distinct from Chinese, and although later research...... middle of article...... Chomsky. By reading these arguments in light of Chomsky's position, we can not only better understand his work and influence. , but also the entire linguistic scene, as well as the implications of each author's work. Despite their sometimes reactionary views, common themes emerge in many of the essays. The truth may lie somewhere in these commonalities, or a faction may be justified, but Chomsky's impact can be seen on one side or the other. Works Cited Chomsky, Noam. “The current linguistics scene: current directions”. Academic English 27.8 (1966): 587-595. Print. Hopper, Paul. “Emerging grammar”. Berkeley Linguistics Society 13 (1987): Print. Hymes, Dell. “Ways of speaking.” Explorations in the ethnography of speech (studies on the social and cultural foundations of language). 2 ed. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1989. 433-451. Print.