Description
Trade Review"Martin Edwardes has written a knowledgeable and thoughtful book on the origins of grammar. I am happy to say that Edwardes' book complements my own book of the same title, taking a similar view on central issues such as the importance of meaning, of social interaction and a gradualist view of evolution. Valuably, Edwardes approaches the topic from an anthropological viewpoint, as his subtitle makes clear. Together, both books offer innovative and thorough coverage of the field. " -- James R. Hurford, Professor (Emeritus), University of Edinburgh, Scotland
"Martin Edwardes has written a wonderfully clear book that sets out the central issues in linguistics that are pertinent to the evolution of grammar and brings them into contact with psychological and anthropological concerns. The style is accessible and will meet a broad audience but the thesis will set academics thinking, arguing and reaching for their pens." -- Tom Dickins, Reader in the School of Psychology, University of East London, UK
... a very useful primer on many issues in evolutionary anthropology for readers with little previous knowledge of the subfields... it is a valuable work. -- Journal of the Royal Astronomical Institute Issue 17:4
Table of ContentsPart I: Making The Case \ 1. Why All the Fuss? \ 2. The Story So Far \
Part II: Looking at Grammar \ 3. The Heavy Hand of Generative Linguistics \ 4. Grammar Without Tiers \ 5. It's All in the Mind \
Part III: Looking at People \ 6. Being Human \ 7. The Weirdness of Self \
Part IV: A Speculation on Evolution \ 8. How Did We Come to Be Human? \ 9. How Did We Come to Use Language? \
Part V: Uncovering the Evidence \ 10. Animals: what nonhumans tell us about being human \ 11. Children: what human development tells us about being human \ 12. Temporality: what our understanding of time tells us about being human \
Part VI: Conclusions \ 13. What Are the Universals of Grammar \ 14. The Evolution of Grammar: what should we look for? \ Bibliography \ Index
