ENGLISH

The Language Myth: Why Language Is Not an Instinct

By Vyvyan Evans

Book information

Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Year
2014
ISBN
1107043964, 9781107043961
Language
english
Format
PDF
Filesize
6 MB (5988829 bytes)
Pages
316\316
Time added
2014-11-16 17:32:45

Description

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.

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