Title: Language Myth
Description: "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; 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"--
Subjects: Linguistics, Cognitive grammar, Psycholinguistics, Language and languages, philosophy, Linguistic universals, Innateness hypothesis (Linguistics), Language and languages, Philosophy, LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Linguistics / General, Language, Communication, Universaux (Linguistique), Grammaire cognitive, Innéisme (Linguistique), Langage et langues, Philosophie, Psycholinguistique, Linguistique, Languages (study discipline), Language (general communication), 17.00 linguistics and study of literature: general, LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES, General, Sprache, Sprachursprung, Denken, Sprachliche Universalien, Kognitive Grammatik, Interpersonal communication, Mother tongue, Language acquisition, Universalia (språkvetenskap), Språkpsykologi