University of Sussex - Chomsky joins fight for linguistics

Noam Chomsky, emeritus professor of linguistics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has spoken out against the University of Sussex's decision to close its linguistics courses. Professor Chomsky said: "I am very sorry to learn of the decision to cut linguistics courses. The field is at an exciting stage. The same is true generally of the cognitive sciences, within which linguistics has a central place. If the decision is implemented, it will be a serious blow to the intellectual life of the university." Last week, a rally on campus in protest against the closure was attended by more than 300 staff and students.