Why Chimpanzees Can't Learn Language and Only Humans Can

Herbert Terrace

48 ratings by Goodreads

Language: English

Published by Columbia University Press Okt 2019, 2019

0231171102 / 9780231171106

Series: Book 14 of 18 - Leonard Hastings Schoff Lectures

  • Hardcover
  • New
See all details

Seller: AHA-BUCH GmbH, Einbeck, GermanyAHA-BUCH GmbH

5-star seller

AbeBooks seller since August 14, 2006

View this seller's items
Hardcover

Condition: New

US$ 59.37

US$ 39.87 shipping 
Ships from Germany to U.S.A.

Quantity: 2 available

Add to basket
Free 30-day returns

Item description from seller

Neuware - In the 1970s, the behavioral psychologist Herbert S. Terrace led a remarkable experiment to see if a chimpanzee could be taught to use language. A young ape, named 'Nim Chimpsky' in a nod to the linguist whose theories Terrace challenged, was raised by a family in New York and instructed in American Sign Language. Initially, Terrace thought that Nim could create sentences but later discovered that Nim's teachers inadvertently cued his signing. Terrace concluded that Project Nim failed--not because Nim couldn't create sentences but because he couldn't even learn words. Language is a uniquely human quality, and attempting to find it in animals is wishful thinking at best. The failure of Project Nim meant we were no closer to understanding where language comes from. In this book, Terrace revisits Project Nim to offer a novel view of the origins of human language. In contrast to both Noam Chomsky and his critics, Terrace contends that words, as much as grammar, are the cornerstones of language. Retracing human evolution and developmental psychology, he shows that nonverbal interaction is the foundation of infant language acquisition, leading up to a child's first words. By placing words and conversation before grammar, we can, for the first time, account for the evolutionary basis of language. Terrace argues that this theory explains Nim's inability to acquire words and, more broadly, the differences between human and animal communication. Why Chimpanzees Can't Learn Language and Only Humans Can is a masterful statement of the nature of language and what it means to be human.…

Seller Inventory # 9780231171106

Title
Why Chimpanzees Can't Learn Language and Only Humans Can
Author
Herbert Terrace
Publisher
Columbia University Press Okt 2019
Publication year
2019
Condition
Neu
Binding
Buch
Language
English
ISBN 10
0231171102
ISBN 13
9780231171106
Item weight
400 grams
Dimensions
225x152x21 mm
Series
Book 14 of 18: Leonard Hastings Schoff Lectures

AHA-BUCH GmbH

Einbeck, Germany

5-star seller

AbeBooks seller since August 14, 2006

Shipping rates from Germany to U.S.A.

Item7 to 10 business days5 to 7 business days
First itemUS$ 39.87US$ 51.26
Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.

Payment methods

  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • American Express
  • Apple Pay
  • Google Pay
  • Bank Wire Transfer
  • Check
  • Paypal

Store description

Das Unternehmen AHA-BUCH GmbH: Seit der Gründung von AHA-BUCH im Juli 2005 ist unser Hauptziel, zufriedenen Kunden so schnell und so preisgünstig wie möglich ihren Bücherwunsch zu erfüllen. Unsere Firma beschäftigt 16 Mitarbeiter, die nur ein Ziel kennen: den Kunden und seine Wünsche! Auf über 3700 m2 Fläche haben wir über 100.000 Bücher, Modernes Antiquariat und Spiele auf Lager.

Specialty

Kinderbücher & Kinderhör Casetten, German Books, Software, Natur & Tiere, Ratgeber, Sachbücher, Englische Bücher, Medizin & Gesundheit, Universität & Studium

Seller's business information

AHA-BUCH GmbH

Garlebsen 48
Einbeck, Germany 37574