The Most Famous Linguist, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the linguist you think is the most famous!
Updated on Apr 12, 2024 08:14
In a world brimming with languages, understanding how they evolve and interact is a key part of our global culture. Linguists delve into these complexities, shedding light on everything from ancient scripts to modern speech patterns. By ranking these scholars, we gain insights not only into their academic contributions but also into how they shape our comprehension of human communication.
Such a ranking helps highlight the diversity and depth of linguistic studies, from theoretical to applied linguistics. It encourages an appreciation of the scholars who have significantly advanced our understanding of language. Through your votes, we constantly update these rankings to reflect current opinions and discoveries in the field.
Who Is the Most Famous Linguist?
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170votesNoam Chomsky - one of the most influential linguists of the 20th century, known for his theories on language acquisition and universal grammar.Noam Chomsky in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous professor
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous Cognitive Psychologist
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous anarchist
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous PhDs
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous elderly person
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous socialist
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222votes
"F. Jullien Genève", maybe Frank-Henri Jullien (1882–1938) · CC BY-SA 4.0Ferdinand de Saussure is a Swiss linguist who is considered the father of modern linguistics, known for his work on semiotics and structuralism. -
312votes
unnkown · Public domainEdward Sapir - an American linguist known for his work on language and culture, and for his contribution to the development of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis. -
424votesBenjamin Lee Whorf - an American linguist who developed the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, which suggests that language shapes thought and perception.
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517votesRoman Jakobson is a Russian-American linguist known for his work on phonology, morphology, and syntax, as well as his contribution to the development of structural linguistics.
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620votesWilliam Labov - an American linguist known for his work on sociolinguistics, particularly for his research on African American English and the study of language change.
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74votes
Steven Pinker · CC BY-SA 3.0Steven Pinker is a Canadian-American cognitive scientist and linguist known for his work on language acquisition, the evolution of language, and the relationship between language and thought.Steven Pinker in other rankings- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous Steven
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous Cognitive Psychologist
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous Neuropsychologist
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810votesGeorge Lakoff - an American linguist known for his work on cognitive linguistics, particularly for his research on metaphor and its role in shaping thought and language.
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97votes
Tony1 · CC BY-SA 4.0Michael Halliday is a British linguist known for his work on systemic functional linguistics, which emphasizes the relationship between language and social context. -
105votes
Jasy jatere · Public domainJohn McWhorter is an American linguist known for his work on language change, pidgins and creoles, and the relationship between language and race. He is also a popular author and commentator on language and culture.
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Ranking factors for famous linguist
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Impact on LinguisticsThe impact or contribution made by the linguist to the field of linguistics, such as developing theories or models, introducing new methodologies, etc.
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PublicationsThe number, quality, and influence of the publications by the linguist, such as books, papers, articles, and other works.
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Awards and HonorsRecognition received by the linguist from academia, such as prestigious awards, fellowships, grants, honorary degrees, etc.
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Teaching and MentorshipThe quality and impact of the linguist’s teaching and mentoring, such as educating a generation of linguists and shaping the field as a whole.
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Public Visibility and OutreachThe extent to which the linguist has made an impact on the general public, such as through media appearances, public lectures, or other outreach activities.
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InterdisciplinarityThe degree to which the linguist has contributed to other fields of study, such as psychology, anthropology, computer science, or philosophy.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most famous linguist. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or linguist is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2196 views
- 188 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each linguist once every 24 hours. The rank of each linguist is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most famous linguist
Linguistics is a fascinating field that studies the structure, nature, and use of language. Throughout history, there have been many influential linguists who have made significant contributions to the field. From the father of modern linguistics, Noam Chomsky, to the founder of structural linguistics, Ferdinand de Saussure, linguists have played a crucial role in shaping our understanding of language and communication. But who is the most famous linguist of all time? This is a question that has sparked debate among language enthusiasts and scholars alike. In this article, we will explore some of the most prominent candidates for the title of the most famous linguist and examine their contributions to the field.
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