Language Universals

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Language Arts, Linguistics, Health & Well Being, Psychology, Cognitive Psychology
Cover of the book Language Universals by Morten H. Christiansen, Christopher Collins, Shimon Edelman, Oxford University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Morten H. Christiansen, Christopher Collins, Shimon Edelman ISBN: 9780190294113
Publisher: Oxford University Press Publication: March 17, 2009
Imprint: Oxford University Press Language: English
Author: Morten H. Christiansen, Christopher Collins, Shimon Edelman
ISBN: 9780190294113
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication: March 17, 2009
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Language: English

Languages differ from one another in bewildering and seemingly arbitrary ways. For example, in English, the verb precedes the direct object ('understand the proof'), but in Japanese, the direct object comes first. In some languages, such as Mohawk, it is not even possible to establish a basic word order. Nonetheless, languages do share certain regularities in how they are structured and used. The exact nature and extent of these "language universals" has been the focus of much research and is one of the central explanatory goals in the language sciences. During the past 50 years, there has been tremendous progress, a few major conceptual revolutions, and even the emergence of entirely new fields. The wealth of findings and theories offered by the various language-science disciplines has made it more important than ever to work toward an integrated understanding of the nature of human language universals. This book is the first to examine language universals from a cross-disciplinary perspective. It provides new insights into long standing questions such as: What exactly defines the human capacity for language? Are there universal properties of human languages and, if so, what are they? Can all language universals be explained in the same way, or do some universals require different kinds of explanations from others? Language Universals is unique in starting with the assumption that the best way to approach these and related questions is through a dialogue between a wide range of disciplines, including linguistics, cognitive neuroscience, philosophy, computer science and biology.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Languages differ from one another in bewildering and seemingly arbitrary ways. For example, in English, the verb precedes the direct object ('understand the proof'), but in Japanese, the direct object comes first. In some languages, such as Mohawk, it is not even possible to establish a basic word order. Nonetheless, languages do share certain regularities in how they are structured and used. The exact nature and extent of these "language universals" has been the focus of much research and is one of the central explanatory goals in the language sciences. During the past 50 years, there has been tremendous progress, a few major conceptual revolutions, and even the emergence of entirely new fields. The wealth of findings and theories offered by the various language-science disciplines has made it more important than ever to work toward an integrated understanding of the nature of human language universals. This book is the first to examine language universals from a cross-disciplinary perspective. It provides new insights into long standing questions such as: What exactly defines the human capacity for language? Are there universal properties of human languages and, if so, what are they? Can all language universals be explained in the same way, or do some universals require different kinds of explanations from others? Language Universals is unique in starting with the assumption that the best way to approach these and related questions is through a dialogue between a wide range of disciplines, including linguistics, cognitive neuroscience, philosophy, computer science and biology.

More books from Oxford University Press

Cover of the book White Death - With Audio Level 1 Oxford Bookworms Library by Morten H. Christiansen, Christopher Collins, Shimon Edelman
Cover of the book North Korea by Morten H. Christiansen, Christopher Collins, Shimon Edelman
Cover of the book Practicing What the Doctor Preached by Morten H. Christiansen, Christopher Collins, Shimon Edelman
Cover of the book Speaking American by Morten H. Christiansen, Christopher Collins, Shimon Edelman
Cover of the book The Shaping of the Modern Middle East by Morten H. Christiansen, Christopher Collins, Shimon Edelman
Cover of the book The Hippocampus Book by Morten H. Christiansen, Christopher Collins, Shimon Edelman
Cover of the book Shooting to Kill by Morten H. Christiansen, Christopher Collins, Shimon Edelman
Cover of the book The Globotics Upheaval by Morten H. Christiansen, Christopher Collins, Shimon Edelman
Cover of the book The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming! by Morten H. Christiansen, Christopher Collins, Shimon Edelman
Cover of the book Russian America by Morten H. Christiansen, Christopher Collins, Shimon Edelman
Cover of the book Guns across America by Morten H. Christiansen, Christopher Collins, Shimon Edelman
Cover of the book Ecological Framework: Oxford Bibliographies Online Research Guide by Morten H. Christiansen, Christopher Collins, Shimon Edelman
Cover of the book The Lights that Failed: European International History 1919-1933 by Morten H. Christiansen, Christopher Collins, Shimon Edelman
Cover of the book Halal Food by Morten H. Christiansen, Christopher Collins, Shimon Edelman
Cover of the book Health Care Reform and American Politics: What Everyone Needs to Know by Morten H. Christiansen, Christopher Collins, Shimon Edelman
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy