Language evolution and syntactic theory
By: Anna R. Kinsella.
Series: Approaches to the evolution of language
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 2009
Place of publication: Cambridge; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 222
ISBN-13: 9780521895309
Subjects: Historical linguistics; Grammar, Comparative and general -- Syntax
Description: "Evolution has not typically been recognised by linguists as a constraining factor when developing linguistic theories. This book demonstrates that our theories of language must reflect the fact that language has evolved. It critiques a currently dominant framework in the field of linguistics - the Minimalist Program - by showing how it fails to take evolution into account. It approaches the question of the evolution of human language in a novel way by applying findings from the field of evolutionary biology to language. Key properties associated with typically evolving systems are identified in language, and the shortcomings of the Minimalist Program in its outright rejection of these features are exposed. The book will be of interest to individual researchers and advanced students in linguistics, psychology, biology, anthropology and cognitive science."--Jacket.
Notes: Includes bibliography (p.195-210) and index.