| Title:
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THE LANGUAGE MYTH
WHY LANGUAGE IS NOT AN INSTINCT |
| By: |
Vyvyan Evans |
| Format: |
Hardback |
| List price:
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£65.00 |
| Our price: |
£58.50 |
| Discount: |
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£6.50 |
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| ISBN 10: |
1107043964 |
| ISBN 13: |
9781107043961 |
| Availability: |
Usually dispatched within 1-3 weeks.
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| Stock: |
Currently 0 available |
| Publisher: |
CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS |
| Pub. date: |
30 September, 2014 |
| Pages: |
318 |
| Description: |
Drawing on cutting-edge research, Evans presents an alternative to the received wisdom, showing how language and the mind really work. |
| Synopsis: |
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. |
| Illustrations: |
11 b/w illus. 11 tables |
| Publication: |
UK |
| Imprint: |
Cambridge University Press |
| Returns: |
Returnable |
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