Language Myth

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; 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"--

subjects: Linguistics,  Cognitive grammar,  Psycholinguistics,  Language and languages, philosophy,  Linguistic universals,  Innateness hypothesis (Linguistics),  Language and languages,  Philosophy,  LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Linguistics / General,  Language,  Communication,  Universaux (Linguistique),  Grammaire cognitive,  Innéisme (Linguistique),  Langage et langues,  Philosophie,  Psycholinguistique,  Linguistique,  Languages (study discipline),  Language (general communication),  17.00 linguistics and study of literature: general,  LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES,  General,  Sprache,  Sprachursprung,  Denken,  Sprachliche Universalien,  Kognitive Grammatik,  Interpersonal communication,  Mother tongue,  Language acquisition,  Universalia (språkvetenskap),  Språkpsykologi