Anyone who is interested in languages should read this book! It's accessible, informative, intellectually stimulating, entertaining and sometimes infuriating. Pinker puts forward the idea that language is instinctive and looks at the evolution of language, how grammar works and the genetics of language. Academic linguistics is kept to a minimum, instead examples are given of how language works in real life situations. Pinker explored questions such as can chimpanzees really be taught sign language? and is the English language deteriorating?
You may not agree with everything he says, but you'll certainly have plenty to think about....
The Language Instinct by Steven Pinker
5 comments:
thanks for the intro juliet! will have to check this book out.
I'll keep an out for this one. Just what is happening to the language is unsure at this point. I saw an article suggesting we were rushing toward a breakdown in the idea of separate language groups into a big melting pot universal language with variations which would be cool. I must get this book.
Thank you CGP :-)
definitely, will check out...
wishes,
devika
sounds like a book worth checking out
He was my idol when I studied Linguistics 101. The book was optional reading for the subject and it explained everything better than any of my lecturers!!
Post a Comment