Synopsis
How language evolved has been called "the hardest problem in science." In Adam's Tongue, Derek Bickerton―long a leading authority in this field―shows how and why previous attempts to solve that problem have fallen short. Taking cues from topics as diverse as the foraging strategies of ants, the distribution of large prehistoric herbivores, and the construction of ecological niches, Bickerton produces a dazzling new alternative to the conventional wisdom.
Language is unique to humans, but it isn't the only thing that sets us apart from other species―our cognitive powers are qualitatively different. So could there be two separate discontinuities between humans and the rest of nature? No, says Bickerton; he shows how the mere possession of symbolic units―words―automatically opened a new and different cognitive universe, one that yielded novel innovations ranging from barbed arrowheads to the Apollo spacecraft.
Written in Bickerton's lucid and irreverent style, this book is the first to thoroughly integrate the story of how language evolved with the story of how humans evolved. Sure to be controversial, it will make indispensable reading both for experts in the field and for every reader who has ever wondered how a species as remarkable as ours could have come into existence.'
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Derek Bickerton is Professor Emeritus of Linguistics at the University of Hawaii. His book Bastard Tongues was published in 2008, and Adam’s Tongue in 2009.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Search results for Adam's Tongue: How Humans Made Language, How Language...
Stock Image
Adam's Tongue : How Humans Made Language, How Language Made Humans
Published by
Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2010
ISBN 10: 0809016478
ISBN 13: 9780809016471
Used
Softcover
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. Former library copy. Pages intact with possible writing/highlighting. Binding strong with minor wear. Dust jackets/supplements may not be included. Includes library markings. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good. Seller Inventory # 17417371-75
Stock Image
Adam's Tongue : How Humans Made Language, How Language Made Humans
Published by
Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2010
ISBN 10: 0809016478
ISBN 13: 9780809016471
Used
Softcover
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. Pages intact with possible writing/highlighting. Binding strong with minor wear. Dust jackets/supplements may not be included. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good. Seller Inventory # 4697601-6
Stock Image
Adam's Tongue : How Humans Made Language, How Language Made Humans
Published by
Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2010
ISBN 10: 0809016478
ISBN 13: 9780809016471
Used
Softcover
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good. Seller Inventory # 8790751-6
Seller Image
Adam's Tongue: How Humans Made Language, How Language Made Humans
Seller: Aspen Book Co., Denver, CO, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: good. A well-loved companion. Corners and cover might show a little wear, and you could find some notes or highlights. The dust jacket might be MIA, it might have been a library book and extras aren't guaranteedâ"but the story's all there! Seller Inventory # PKV.0809016478.G
Stock Image
Adam's Tongue: How Humans Made Language, How Language Made Humans
Seller: Half Price Books Inc., Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_462645213
Stock Image
Adam's Tongue: How Humans Made Language, How Language Made Humans
Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G0809016478I3N00
Stock Image
Adam's Tongue: How Humans Made Language, How Language Made Humans
Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G0809016478I3N00
Stock Image
Adam's Tongue: How Humans Made Language, How Language Made Humans
Seller: HPB-Ruby, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_465759970
Stock Image
Adam's Tongue
Seller: BookOutlet, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: New. Paperback. Publisher overstock, may contain remainder mark on edge. Seller Inventory # 9780809016471B
Stock Image
Adam's Tongue: How Humans Made Language, How Language Made Humans
Published by
Hill and Wang, 2010
ISBN 10: 0809016478
ISBN 13: 9780809016471
Used
paperback
First Edition
Seller: Textbooks_Source, Columbia, MO, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
paperback. Condition: Good. First Edition. Ships in a BOX from Central Missouri! May not include working access code. Will not include dust jacket. Has used sticker(s) and some writing or highlighting. UPS shipping for most packages, (Priority Mail for AK/HI/APO/PO Boxes). Seller Inventory # 001002814U