Original signs: gesture, sign, and the sources of language

"Since Darwin's time, the majority of evolutionary linguists have theorized that language defines human beings and that speech defines language. In Original Signs, David Armstrong disputes the latter concept by showing that language has evolved in many different ways through many different...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Armstrong, David F. (Author)
Format: Book
Language:English
Published: Washington, DC Gallaudet Univ. Press 1999
Subjects:
Summary:"Since Darwin's time, the majority of evolutionary linguists have theorized that language defines human beings and that speech defines language. In Original Signs, David Armstrong disputes the latter concept by showing that language has evolved in many different ways through many different paths, not just speech. The present evidence rests in the known fact that when deaf people sign, they are using a well-formed human language." "Armstrong addresses in turn the various thoughts on language development put forth by the major theorists, including Stephen J. Gould, Steven Pinker, Noam Chomsky, Terrence Deacon, and others, to finely hone his concept of the varied forms in which language developed."--BOOK JACKET.
Physical Description:IX, 190 S. Ill., graph. Darst.
ISBN:1563680750