standard theory/model

A term used in GENERATIVE LINGUISTICS to refer to the MODEL of generative GRAMMAR proposed by Noam Chomsky in his 1965 book, Aspects of the Theory of Syntax. The importance of this formulation is such that, despite extensive subsequent modifications and alternatives provided by Chomsky and others, it is still viewed by many as the main statement concerning the aims and form of a TRANSFORMATIONAL GRAMMAR.

It is usually contrasted with the EXTENDED STANDARD THEORY developed by Chomsky in later modifications of his own work, the REVISED EXTENDED STANDARD THEORY, GOVERNMENT-BINDING THEORY, and the various ‘non-standard’ versions of generative grammar (e.g. GENERATIVE SEMANTICS), which differ radically from the Aspects model.