Evolutionary linguistics

by McMahon, April M. S.

Type Book

Rate 0.0 /5

Details

Files

Reviews

Download

Title Statements

Full title :Evolutionary linguistics / April McMahon and Robert McMahon ...

Summary

How did the biological, brain and behavioural structures underlying human language evolve? When, why and where did our ancestors become linguistic animals, and what has happened since? This book provides a clear, comprehensive but lively introduction to these interdisciplinary debates. Written in an approachable style, it cuts through the complex, sometimes contradictory and often obscure technical languages used in the different scientific disciplines involved in the study of linguistic evolution. Assuming no background knowledge in these disciplines, the book outlines the physical and neurological structures underlying language systems, and the limits of our knowledge concerning their evolution. Discussion questions and further reading lists encourage students to explore the primary literature further, and the final chapter demonstrates that while many questions still remain unanswered, there is a growing consensus as to how modern human languages have arisen as systems by the interplay of evolved structures and cultural transmission.

Edition Statements

Publication Date:©2013.

Publication Statements

Publisher(s):Cambridge University Press
Place of Publication:Cambridge
Language:eng
Publication Date:©2013.

The Physical Object

Description:1 v. (xix-309 p.) : : illustrations ; : 25 cm.

Edition Identifiers

ISBN:9780521814508, 0521814502, 9780521891394, 0521891396
oclc:ocn835203898
LC Classification:P116
Dewey Decimal:401

1. Evolution and history; 2. Evidence for evolution; 3. The comparative methods; 4. Who, where and when?; 5. The vocal tract; 6. Language and the brain; 7. Language and genes; 8. Big bang or cumulative creep? Saltation versus gradual, adaptive evolution; 9. From protolanguage to language.

Subjects

Anthropological linguistics Ethnolinguistique Évolution de l'homme Homme -- Évolution Human evolution Langage -- Origines Langage et langues -- Origines Language Language -- history Language and languages Language and languages -- Origin Origine du langage