Geoffrey Nunberg

Geoffrey Nunberg
Nunberg in 2006
Born(1945-06-01)June 1, 1945
New York City, U.S.
DiedAugust 11, 2020(2020-08-11) (aged 75)
San Francisco, California, U.S.
EducationColumbia College (BA)
University of Pennsylvania (MA)
City University of New York (PhD)
OccupationsLinguist, author
Known forWork on lexical semantics

Geoffrey Nunberg (June 1, 1945 – August 11, 2020) was an American lexical semantician, linguist, and author. In 2001, he received the Linguistics, Language, and the Public Interest Award from the Linguistic Society of America for his contributions to National Public Radio's Fresh Air.

Nunberg was the author of a number of popular books, among them Going Nucular: Language, Politics and Culture in Controversial Times (2004). He is primarily known for his broadcast work interpreting linguistic science for lay audiences, though his contributions to linguistic theory are also well regarded.