The Language Myth

Copertina anteriore
Cambridge University Press, 2 ott 2014 - 304 pagine
Language is central to our lives, the cultural tool that arguably sets us apart from other species. Some scientists have argued that language is innate, a type of unique human 'instinct' pre-programmed in us from birth. In this book, Vyvyan Evans argues that this received wisdom is, in fact, a myth. Debunking the notion of a language 'instinct', Evans demonstrates that language is related to other animal forms of communication; that languages exhibit staggering diversity; that we learn our mother tongue drawing on general properties and abilities of the human mind, rather than an inborn 'universal' grammar; that language is not autonomous but is closely related to other aspects of our mental lives; and that, ultimately, language and the mind reflect and draw upon the way we interact with others in the world. Compellingly written and drawing on cutting-edge research, The Language Myth sets out a forceful alternative to the received wisdom, showing how language and the mind really work.
 

Sommario

2
27
3
64
Is language innate?
95
Is language a distinct module in the mind?
133
6
161
7
192
Language and mind regained
229
Notes
259
References
274
Index
301
Copyright

Altre edizioni - Visualizza tutto

Parole e frasi comuni

Informazioni sull'autore (2014)

Vyv Evans is Professor of Linguistics in the School of Linguistics and English Language at Bangor University.

Informazioni bibliografiche