Biolinguistic Investigations and the Formal Language Hierarchy (Routledge Leading Linguists)

This volume collects some of Juan Uriagereka’s previously published pieces and presentations on biolinguistics in recent years in one comprehensive volume. The book’s introduction lays the foundation for the field of biolinguistics, which looks to integrate concepts from the natural sciences in the analysis of natural language, situating the discussion within the minimalist framework. The volume then highlights eight of the author’s key papers from the literature, some co-authored, representative of both the architectural and evolutionary considerations to be taken into account within biolinguistic research. The book culminates in a final chapter showcasing the body of work being done on biolinguistics within the research program at the University of Maryland and their implications for interdisciplinary research and future directions for the field. This volume is essential reading for students and scholars interested in the interface between language and the natural sciences, including linguistics, syntax, biology, archaeology, and anthropology.

Juan Uriagereka is Professor of Linguistics in the Department of Linguistics at the University of Maryland, College Park. His previous publications include Spell-Out and the Minimalist Program (2012) and Derivations: Exploring the Dynamics of Syntax (2002).