Foundations of Language: Brain, Meaning, Grammar, EvolutionHow does human language work? How do we put ideas into words that others can understand? Can linguistics shed light on the way the brain operates? Foundations of Language puts linguistics back at the centre of the search to understand human consciousness. Ray Jackendoff begins by surveying the developments in linguistics over the years since Noam Chomsky's Aspects of the Theory of Syntax. He goes on to propose a radical re-conception of how the brain processes language. This opens up vivid new perspectives on every major aspect of language and communication, including grammar, vocabulary, learning, the origins of human language, and how language relates to the real world. Foundations of Language makes important connections with other disciplines which have been isolated from linguistics for many years. It sets a new agenda for close cooperation between the study of language, mind, the brain, behaviour, and evolution. |
Other editions - View all
Foundations of Language: Brain, Meaning, Grammar, Evolution Ray Jackendoff,Ray S. Jackendoff Limited preview - 2002 |
Foundations of Language: Brain, Meaning, Grammar, Evolution Ray Jackendoff No preview available - 2003 |
Foundations of Language: Brain, Meaning, Grammar, Evolution Ray Jackendoff No preview available - 2003 |
Common terms and phrases
activity appear approach architecture argument aspects brain Chapter Chomsky claim clause cognitive combination complex components conceptual conceptual structure concerned connection consider constraints construction corresponds course derivational descriptive determine developed direct discussion distinction encode English event evidence example expressed fact formal function grammar head human important individual instance integration interesting interface issue Jackendoff kinds language learning less lexical items lexicon linguistic logical meaning memory mind natural notation nouns object observed organization parallel particular perception phonological phrase position possible present principles problem processing productive proposed question reason reference referential relation relative role rules semantics sense sentence simple sort speakers specified stored stress structure suggested syntactic syntactic structure syntax theory things thought tier turn understanding Universal Grammar variables verb visual words