
Biolinguistics
Exploring the Biology of Language
Lyle Jenkins(Author)
Cambridge University Press
Published on 26. April 2001
Book
Paperback/Softback
280 pages
978-0-521-00391-9 (ISBN)
Description
This book investigates the nature of human language and its importance for the study of the mind. In particular, it examines current work on the biology of language. Lyle Jenkins reviews the evidence that language is best characterized by a generative grammar of the kind introduced by Noam Chomsky in the 1950s and developed in various directions since that time. He then discusses research into the development of language which tries to capture both the underlying universality of human language, as well as the diversity found in individual languages (Universal Grammar). Finally, he discusses a variety of approaches to language design and the evolution of language. An important theme is the integration of biolinguistics into the natural sciences - the 'unification problem'. Jenkins also answers criticisms of the biolinguistic approach from a number of other perspectives, including evolutionary psychology, cognitive science, connectionism and ape language research, among others.
Reviews / Votes
'Jenkin's book is useful for the range of topics it discusses, and for the historical dimension that it provides on biolinguistic exploration as seen from a Chomskyan viewpoint.' Andrew Carstairs-McCarthy, DiachronicaMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
1 Tables, unspecified
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
459 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-521-00391-9 (9780521003919)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
07/2005
1st Edition
Cambridge University Press
€41.49
Available for download
Content
Preface; Acknowledgements; Introduction; 1. The unification problem; 2. Knowledge and use of language; 3. Acquisition (growth) of language; 4. Mechanisms of language; 5. Evolution of language; 6. Conclusion; References; Index.