The Language Myth: Why Language Is Not an Instinct
Vyvyan Evans
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Description for The Language Myth: Why Language Is Not an Instinct
Paperback. Drawing on cutting-edge research, Evans presents an alternative to the received wisdom, showing how language and the mind really work. Num Pages: 314 pages, 11 b/w illus. 11 tables. BIC Classification: CFD. Category: (G) General (US: Trade); (U) Tertiary Education (US: College). Dimension: 139 x 217 x 17. Weight in Grams: 388.
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 ... Read more
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 ... Read more
Product Details
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Format
Paperback
Publication date
2014
Condition
New
Weight
388g
Number of Pages
314
Place of Publication
Cambridge, United Kingdom
ISBN
9781107619753
SKU
V9781107619753
Shipping Time
Usually ships in 4 to 8 working days
Ref
99-1
About Vyvyan Evans
Vyv Evans is Professor of Linguistics in the School of Linguistics and English Language at Bangor University.
Reviews for The Language Myth: Why Language Is Not an Instinct
'A much-needed, comprehensive critique of universal grammar. Vyvyan Evans builds a compelling case that will be difficult to refute.' David Crystal, author of The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language 'Evans' rebuttal of Chomsky's universal grammar from the perspective of cognitive linguistics provides an excellent antidote to popular textbooks where it is assumed that the Chomskyan approach to linguistic theory (in one ... Read more