Description
Book SynopsisThis collection of humorous and accessible essays presents a series of engaging reflections on linguistic concerns, including: how people who are deaf and blind can communicate; what makes Woody Allen funny; the linguistic abilities of chimpanzees; and political correctness.
Trade Review"These sketches by Neil Smith's deft and expert hands provide a wonderful sampling of many and diverse paths of inquiry inspired by and informing the study of language, the unexpected delights one encounters on the way, the surprising and thought-provoking insights, and the puzzles, paradoxes and mysteries that offer a persistent challenge to understanding of essential elements of human nature." Noam Chomsky
, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
"Neil Smith has not only a profound knowledge of current developments in linguistics but also a talent for explaining the issues clearly and approachably." John Wells FBA, University College London
"Smith is a thorough linguist with a sense of humor. Readers will find interesting linguistic ideas in small delicate amount enough to induce a linguistic quest for more revealing information. This book offers quick linguistic treats of fresh ideas and key findings in linguistics." Linguistische Berichte
Table of ContentsPreface.
Prelude:.
1. How to be the Center of the Universe.
Part I: Problems:.
2. Tadoma.
3. Putting a Banana in Your Ear.
4. A Fragment of Genius.
5. Colourful Language.
6. The Structure of Noise.
7. Dissociations.
Part II: Puzzles:.
8. Puzzle.
9. PC.
10. Acquired Whining.
11. Godshit.
12. The Golem.
13. $.
Part III: Polemics:.
14. Bonobos.
15. Whales, Sunflowers and the Evolution of Language.
16. Jackdaws, Sex and Language Acquisition.
17. Does Chomsky Exist?.
18. Relentless Jollity, Inexorable Logic and the Nature of Mind.
19. Structural Eccentricities.
20. The Velarity of Linguists.
Glossary.
References.
Index.
