The language myth :
Evans, Vyvyan,
The language myth : why language is not an instinct / Vyvyan Evans. - Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2014. - xi, 304 pages ; 22 cm
Includes bibliographical references (pages 274-300) and index.
Machine generated contents note: Acknowledgements; 1. Language and mind rethought; 2. Is human language unrelated to animal communication systems?; 3. Are there language universals?; 4. Is language innate?; 5. Is language a distinct module in the mind?; 6. Is there a universal Mentalese?; 7. Is thought independent of language?; 8. Language and mind regained.
"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; 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"--
9781107619753 (Paperback) 9781107043961 (Hardback)
2014014932
Linguistic universals.
Cognitive grammar.
Innateness hypothesis (Linguistics)
Language and languages--Philosophy.
Psycholinguistics.
LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Linguistics / General.
P204 / .E88 2014
401 EVA / 007381
The language myth : why language is not an instinct / Vyvyan Evans. - Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2014. - xi, 304 pages ; 22 cm
Includes bibliographical references (pages 274-300) and index.
Machine generated contents note: Acknowledgements; 1. Language and mind rethought; 2. Is human language unrelated to animal communication systems?; 3. Are there language universals?; 4. Is language innate?; 5. Is language a distinct module in the mind?; 6. Is there a universal Mentalese?; 7. Is thought independent of language?; 8. Language and mind regained.
"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; 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"--
9781107619753 (Paperback) 9781107043961 (Hardback)
2014014932
Linguistic universals.
Cognitive grammar.
Innateness hypothesis (Linguistics)
Language and languages--Philosophy.
Psycholinguistics.
LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Linguistics / General.
P204 / .E88 2014
401 EVA / 007381