The Biology and Evolution of Language

by Philip Lieberman

Book Overview

This book synthesizes much of the exciting recent research in the biology of language. Drawing on data from anatomy, neurophysiology, physiology, and behavioral biology, Philip Lieberman develops a new approach to the puzzle of language, arguing that it is the result of many evolutionary compromises. Within his discussion, Lieberman skillfully addresses matters as various as the theory of neoteny (which he refutes), the mating calls of bullfrogs,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0674074130
• ISBN13: 9780674074132
• Release Date: January 1987
• Publisher: Harvard University Press
• Length: 392 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.2" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Scientific but approachable, very informative

Neither light reading or science for the masses, this book is reasonably approachable and very informative. An excellent complement to Steven Pinker's The Language Instinct: this one handles the physiology of language, while Pinker discusses how language is structured by the brain. Lieberman's book is full of the big ideas and fascinating details that make science reading such a pleasure.