In his groundbreaking new book Daniel Everett seeks answers to questions that have perplexed thinkers from Plato to Chomsky: when and how did language begin? what is it? and what is it for?
Daniel Everett confounds the conventional wisdom that language originated with Homo sapiens 150, 000 years ago and that we have a ‘language instinct’. Drawing on evidence from a wide range of fields, including linguistics, archaeology, biology, anthropology and neuroscience, he shows that our ancient ancestors, Homo erectus, had the biological and mental equipment for speech one and half million years ago, and that their cultural and technological achievements (including building ocean-going boats) make it overwhelmingly likely they spoke some kind of language.
How Language Began sheds new light on language and culture and what it means to be human and, as always, Daniel Everett spices his account with incident and anecdote. His book is convincing, arresting and entertaining.
Daniel Everett
How Language Began
The Story of Humanity’s Greatest Invention
How Language Began
The Story of Humanity’s Greatest Invention
Language English ● Format EPUB ● ISBN 9781782831280 ● File size 4.9 MB ● Publisher Profile ● City London ● Country GB ● Published 2017 ● Downloadable 24 months ● Currency EUR ● ID 5385302 ● Copy protection Adobe DRM
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