The Language Myth

The Language Myth PDF Author: Vyvyan Evans
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1316123596
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 317

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Book 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; that language is not autonomous but is closely related to other aspects of our mental lives; 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.

The Language Myth

The Language Myth PDF Author: Vyvyan Evans
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1316123596
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 317

Get Book

Book 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; that language is not autonomous but is closely related to other aspects of our mental lives; 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.

Language and Myth

Language and Myth PDF Author: Ernst Cassirer
Publisher: Courier Corporation
ISBN: 0486122271
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 129

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Book Description
In this important study, Cassirer analyzes the non-rational thought processes that go to make up culture. Includes studies of the metaphysics of the Bhagavat Gita, Ancient Egyptian religion, symbolic logic, and more.

The Language Myth in Western Culture

The Language Myth in Western Culture PDF Author: Roy Harris
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1136751459
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 250

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Book Description
The basic claim of this book is that for 2000 years and more the western tradition has relied on two very dubious assumptions about human communication: that each national language is a unique code and that linguistic communication consists in the utilization of such codes to transfer messages from mind to mind.

Myth and Language

Myth and Language PDF Author: Albert Cook
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 360

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Book Description


Language Myths

Language Myths PDF Author: Laurie Bauer
Publisher: Penguin UK
ISBN: 0141939109
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 208

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Book Description
A unique collection of original essays by 21 of the world's leading linguists. The topics discussed focus on some of the most popular myths about language: The Media Are Ruining English; Children Can't Speak or Write Properly Anymore; America is Ruining the English Language. The tone is lively and entertaining throughout and there are cartoons from Doonesbury andThe Wizard of Id to illustrate some of the points. The book should have a wide readership not only amongst students who want to read leading linguists writing about popular misconceptions but also amongst the large number of people who enjoy reading about language in general.

Women Talk More than Men

Women Talk More than Men PDF Author: Abby Kaplan
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 110708492X
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 311

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Book Description
A detailed look at language-related myths that explores both what we know and how we know it.

The Language Myth

The Language Myth PDF Author: Vyvyan Evans
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1107043964
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 317

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Book Description
Drawing on cutting-edge research, Evans presents an alternative to the received wisdom, showing how language and the mind really work.

After Antiquity

After Antiquity PDF Author: Margaret Alexiou
Publisher: Cornell University Press
ISBN: 9780801433016
Category : Byzantine literature
Languages : en
Pages : 604

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Book Description
With the publication of Ritual Lament in Greek Tradition, widely considered a classic in Modern Greek studies and in collateral fields, Margaret Alexiou established herself as a major intellectual innovator on the interconnections among ancient, medieval, and modern Greek cultures. In her new, eagerly awaited book, Alexiou looks at how language defines the contours of myth and metaphor. Drawing on texts from the New Testament to the present day, Alexiou shows the diversity of the Greek language and its impact at crucial stages of its history on people who were not Greek. She then stipulates the relatedness of literary and "folk" genres, and assesses the importance of rituals and metaphors of the life cycle in shaping narrative forms and systems of imagery.Alexiou places special emphasis on Byzantine literary texts of the sixth and twelfth centuries, providing her own translations where necessary; modern poetry and prose of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries; and narrative songs and tales in the folk tradition, which she analyzes alongside songs of the life cycle. She devotes particular attention to two genres whose significance she thinks has been much underrated: the tales (paramythia) and the songs of love and marriage.In exploring the relationship between speech and ritual, Alexiou not only takes the Greek language into account but also invokes the neurological disorder of autism, drawing on clinical studies and her own experience as the mother of autistic identical twin sons.

The Language Myth

The Language Myth PDF Author: Roy Harris
Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
ISBN:
Category : Language and languages
Languages : en
Pages : 232

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Book Description


Word On The Street

Word On The Street PDF Author: John Mcwhorter
Publisher:
ISBN: 0738204463
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 306

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Book Description
A barbed rebuttal to the conservative view that popular culture is destroying the English language.