Template talk:Linguist-stub

I'm afraid Chomsky is far too controversial to serve as 'the default linguist'. If you really really need an icon for this stub (why?), why not [1], a representation of Panini on an Indian stamp. At least everybody will grant Panini's historical precedence. 81.63.114.127 17:43, 25 October 2005 (UTC)[reply]

I strongly disagree. I don't think Chomsky's political beliefs are relevant. He is the most prominent (even if you ignore his politics) linguist alive today, and is therefore good for the template. As to the question why we need an icon: I think it looks nice and many other stub sorters do too, otherwise they wouldn't have chosen to use icons as well.--Carabinieri 20:50, 25 October 2005 (UTC)[reply]
um, I didn't mean 'controversial' in the political sense at all (I have a great deal more sympathy for Chomsky's political views than for his linguistic views). It gets my goat as a linguist to see stubs of entirely unrelated linguists 'branded' with Chomsky's face. His fame is an effect of postmodernism, which we can only hope is finally dying now. 83.79.181.171 16:36, 1 November 2005 (UTC)[reply]
Well Chomsky just happens to be at least one of the most famous linguists, which makes him an excellent candidate for the icon.--Carabinieri 17:17, 1 November 2005 (UTC)[reply]
yes, but since it's silly to have content disputes over stub icons, could we not choose something less inflammatory? He is not very recognizable anyway (I had to mouseover to be sure it was him). Care for somebody more, hm, time honoured? I think Ferdinand de Saussure would be a reasonable choice. Or Karl Brugmann. Or August Schleicher. 83.79.181.171 18:11, 1 November 2005 (UTC)[reply]

File:Panini stamp.jpg