The language myth : why language is not an instinct

書誌事項

The language myth : why language is not an instinct

Vyvyan Evans

Cambridge University Press, 2014

  • : hardback
  • : pbk

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注記

Bibliography: p. 274-300

Includes index

内容説明・目次

内容説明

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.

目次

  • 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.

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