Selfish Sounds and Linguistic Evolution: A Darwinian Approach to Language Change

Ritt, Nikolaus

ISBN 10: 0521826713 / ISBN 13: 9780521826716

Published by Cambridge University Press, 2004

About this Item

Nearly-new, but please note there's a title-page stamp stating 'damaged', this book however is in fact undamaged and in nearly-new condition complete with dust jacket: very clean, firm, square and tight with no pen-marks, imperfections, bumps or splits, etc. Seller Inventory # 082846

Bibliographic Details

Title: Selfish Sounds and Linguistic Evolution: A ...

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Publication Date: 2004

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Like New

Dust Jacket Condition: Like New

Edition: First Edition.

About this title

Synopsis:

This book takes an exciting perspective on language change, by explaining it in terms of Darwin's evolutionary theory. Looking at a number of developments in the history of sounds and words, Nikolaus Ritt shows how the constituents of language can be regarded as mental patterns, or 'memes', which copy themselves from one brain to another when communication and language acquisition take place. Memes are both stable in that they transmit faithfully from brain to brain, and active in that their success at replicating depends upon their own properties. Ritt uses this controversial approach to challenge established models of linguistic competence, in which speakers acquire, use, and shape language. In Darwinian terms, language evolution is something that happens to, rather than through, speakers, and the interests of linguistic constituents matter more than those of their human 'hosts'. This book will stimulate debate among evolutionary biologists, cognitive scientists and linguists alike.

Review:

'... addresses what may be legitimately regarded as one of the most fundamental questions a linguist can ask: why does language take the form it does? Ritt's answer is refreshingly novel, stimulating as well as astounding ...' Thomas Berg, University of Hamburg

'... refreshingly novel, stimulating as well as astounding ...' Zeitschrift für Sprachwissenschaft