Description
Book SynopsisHow 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.
Trade ReviewThe book is ... a fascinating introduction to the world of linguistics. ... I found the book extremely interesting, captivating and important. If you are not sure about certain basic facts in the research of natural language, read this book. It will provide you with quite an objective view of the development of the research of language on all aspects. * Linguist List *
A masterpiece * Nature *
I believe this book has the potential to reorient linguistics more decisively than any book since Syntactic Structures shook the discipline almost half a century ago. * Robbins Burling, Language in Society *
An excellent overview of the complexities of language * New Scientist *
Table of ContentsPART I: PSYCHOLOGICAL AND BIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS ; 1. The Complexity of Linguistic Structure ; 2. Language as a Mental Phenomenon ; 3. Combinatoriality ; 4. Universal Grammar ; PART II: ARCHITECTURAL FOUNDATIONS ; 5. The Parallel Architecture ; 6. Lexical Storage Versus Online Construction ; 7. Implications for Processing ; 8. An Evolutionary Perspective on the Architecture ; PART III: SEMANTIC AND CONCEPTUAL FOUNDATIONS ; 9. Semantics as a Mentalistic Enterprise ; 10. Reference and Truth ; 11. Lexical Semantics ; 12. Phrasal Semantics ; 13. Concluding Remarks
