The Origins of Complex Language: An Inquiry into the Evolutionary Beginnings of Sentences, Syllables, and Truth
Language: English
Published by OUP Oxford, 1999
- Hardcover
- New

Seller: Kennys Bookstore, Olney, MD, U.S.A.Kennys Bookstore
AbeBooks seller since October 9, 2009
Condition: New
£ 266.84
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Add to basketItem description from seller
Proposing a theory of the origins of human language ability and presenting an account of the early evolution of language, this text explains why humans are the only language-using animals, challenges the assumption that language is due to intelligence, and offers a perspective on human uniqueness. Num Pages: 272 pages, 2 figures and 12 linguistic tree diagrams. BIC Classification: CFA; CFD; CFF; PSAJ. Category: (P) Professional & Vocational. Dimension: 241 x 163 x 20. Weight in Grams: 504. . 1999. 1st Edition. hardcover. . . . . Books ship from the US and Ireland.
Seller Inventory # V9780198238225
- Title
- The Origins of Complex Language: An Inquiry into the Evolutionary Beginnings of Sentences, Syllables, and Truth
- Author
- Carstairs-McCarthy, Andrew
- Publisher
- OUP Oxford
- Publication year
- 1999
- Condition
- New
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 0198238223
- ISBN 13
- 9780198238225
The author draws on evidence from archaeology, linguistics, cognitive science, and evolutionary biology. Making no assumptions about the reader's prior knowledge he first provides an introductory but critical survey of all sources of evidence for language evolution. He then considers what language itself reveals about its own and human origins and evolution. He shows that certain central aspects of language do not, unexpectedly, reflect what they are used for, are maladapted for their function. He considers why this should be, and argues that these odd aspects of language reveal important clues about its evolutionary origin.
The Origins of Complex Language fulfils the promise of its title. In doing so it turns upside down conventional theories about the relation between cognition and expression, truth and reference, and the co-evolution of mind and body. Original in conception, brilliantly executed, stylishly written, this book will attract a wide range of readers interested in the evolution and origins of language.
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Kennys Bookstore
Olney, MD, U.S.A.
AbeBooks seller since October 9, 2009
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