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The Language Instinct : How the Mind Creates Language

Steven Pinker

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The Language Instinct : How the Mind Creates Language

by Steven Pinker
The Language Instinct : How the Mind Creates Language - Thryft
The Language Instinct : How the Mind Creates Language - Thryft

Unveiling language's evolutionary, instinctive roots.

If you're intrigued by the mechanics of human speech and thought, Pinker's "The Language Instinct" could be a revelation. It positions language as an innate human ability, intertwined with our very biology. It’s a deep dive into linguistics made accessible, offering eye-opening perspectives on how we concoct words and sentences. It's not just academic; it’s a conversation starter – think of it as intellectual sustenance for both the curious mind and the casual reader.

  • William James Book Award (1994)
Note: While we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.

The Language Instinct : How the Mind Creates Language

by Steven Pinker
Condition guide

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This is a well-read book, which means that the previous owner probably really enjoyed it! The cover and pages may include moderate foxing and annotations, but the text is not obscured and still readable. Moderate cosmetic defects and minor water damage may be present on the edges of the book. For paperbacks, there may be multiple crease marks on the spine.

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ISBN: 9780140175295
Author: Steven Pinker
Publisher: Penguin
Date of Publication: 1995-03-30
Format: Paperback
Related Collections: Philosophy, Science
Related Topics: Psychology, Biology, Evolution, Neuroscience
Goodreads rating: 4.01
(rated by 21650 readers)

Description

Simply by making noises with our mouths, we can reliably cause precise new combinations of ideas to arise in each other's minds. The ability comes so naturally that we are apt to forget what a miracle it is. Pursuing the ideas of Darwin and Chomsky, Steven Pinker offers a look at why we use language and where this ability comes from. Rather than being an acquired cultural artefact, it is vigorously argued that language is a biological adaptation to communicate information and as such is a system of great richness and beauty. Using examples of the way language is used in daily life from the mouths of children to the pontifications of politicians, Pinker explores this system and our instinct to use it.
 

Unveiling language's evolutionary, instinctive roots.

If you're intrigued by the mechanics of human speech and thought, Pinker's "The Language Instinct" could be a revelation. It positions language as an innate human ability, intertwined with our very biology. It’s a deep dive into linguistics made accessible, offering eye-opening perspectives on how we concoct words and sentences. It's not just academic; it’s a conversation starter – think of it as intellectual sustenance for both the curious mind and the casual reader.

  • William James Book Award (1994)
Note: While we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.

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