Origins of Language: A Slim Guide

by James R. Hurford

Origins of A Slim Guide offers a concise and accessible overview of what is known about the evolution of the human capacity for language. Non-human animals communicate in simple they may be able to form simple concepts, to feel some limited empathy for others, to cooperate to some extent, and to engage in mind-reading. Human language, however, is characterized by its ability to efficiently express a wide range of subtle and complex meanings. After the first simple beginnings, human language underwent an explosion of complexity, leading to the very complicated systems of grammar and pronunciation found in modern languages.

Jim Hurford looks at the very varied aspects of this evolution, covering human prehistory; the relation between instinct and learning; biology and culture; trust, altruism, and cooperation; animal thought; human and non-human vocal anatomy; the meanings and forms of the first words; and the growth of complex systems of grammar and pronunciation. Written by an internationally recognized expert in the field, it draws on a number of disciplines besides linguistics, including philosophy, neuroscience, genetics, and animal behaviour, and will appeal to a wide range of readers interested in language origins and evolution.

Genres: Language, Nonfiction, Linguistics

182 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Eric Cullen]

Don't let the page length of this book fool you. It's very in depth and informal. Most of the concepts were over my head and I will re-read this at some point.

I am fascinated with language and it's origins. We don't study it enough or know enough of why we say what we say or know enough about evolutionary anthropology altogether.

[PatrickPhaff]

I think the book is quite eye-opening and he gives an elaborate explanation of theories how our language evolved With evolution. Altough sometimes it is a bit hard to follow the story (as a non-native english speaker)

[Tony Gualtieri]

A good introduction that spends a bit too much time on how humans differ from the rest of the animal kingdom, and not enough time on how language arose with syntax, vocabularies, and pronunciation.

[Ashley]

A good and brief introduction to the evolution of language. It's a good starting point for someone interested in learning more as you can easily follow up on the research/work introduced here, or you can read it on its own. I would say it's fairly light reading and entertaining for non-linguists who are interested in this area.

[Beth]

Accessible and interesting, and covers the topic well. A short but relatively slow read: some parts seem to ramble a bit, and the writing often seems dense.

[Rachel]

P

[Enrique]

Not so engaging as Adam's Tongue, which was written with a lot of passion by the author, but more centered and objective.