Biolinguistics
Exploring the Biology of Language
1st Edition
Published on 25. July 2005
978-0-511-03298-1 (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
Publishing group
Cambridge University Press
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
Worked examples or Exercises; 1 Tables, unspecified; 1 Plates, unspecified
File size
1,47 MB
ISBN-13
978-0-511-03298-1 (9780511032981)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
04/2001
Cambridge University Press
€62.30
Shipment within 15-20 days
Book
03/2000
Cambridge University Press
€115.50
Shipment within 15-20 days
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.
