| Reviews |
| - 'An important and highly original work that explores issues at the core of modern linguistics and cognitive science' - Years Work in English Studies
- 'The novelty of Kirby's book is that he tries to show that the communicative and the formal aspects of language have crucial and complementary roles and that each must have its place in a complete view of universals' - Years Work in English Studies
- 'A brilliant, innovative computer-simulated exploration into the problem of linkage ... essential reading for all those concerned with grammatical theory' - Masayoshi Shibatani, Kobe University
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| Description | | - Explores the existence and origins of language universals
- Challenges apparent opposition between functionalism and formalism
- Unique computer simulation of linguistic populations
- Essential reading for students and researchers in linguistics, and fascinating insight for researchers of computer simulation and cultural evolution
|
This book explores issues at the core of modern linguistics and cognitive science. Why are all languages similar in some ways and in others utterly different? Why do languages change and change variably? How did the human capacity for language evolve, and how far did it do so as an innate ability? Simon Kirby looks at these questions from a broad perspective, arguing that they can (indeed
must) be studied together.
The author begins by examining how far the universal properties of language may be explained by examining the way it is used, and how far by the way it is structured. He then considers what insights may be gained by combining functional and formal approaches. In doing so he develops a way of treating language as an adaptive system, in which its communicative and
formal roles are both crucial and complementary.
In order to test the effectiveness of competing theories and explanations, Simon Kirby develops computational models to show what universals emerge given a particular theory of language use or acquisition. He presents here both the methodology and the results.
Function, Selection, and Innateness
is important for its argument, its
methodology, and its conclusions. It is a powerful demonstration of the value of looking at language as an adaptive system and goes to the heart of current debates on the evolution and nature of language.
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Readership: Advanced students of, and researchers in, linguistic theory, language evolution, language typology, and cognitive science, plus researchers from other fields working on complex adaptive systems, computer simulation, and cultural evolution.
| Contents |
1.
A Puzzle of Fit
2.
The Impact of Processing on Word Order
3.
Hierarchies and Competing Motivations
4.
The Limits of Functional Adaptation
5.
Innateness and Function in Linguistics
6.
Conclusion
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| Authors, editors,
and contributors |
Simon Kirby, Research Fellow in the Language, Evolution, and Computation Research Unit, Department of Linguistics, University of Edinburgh
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The specification in this catalogue, including without
limitation price, format, extent, number of illustrations,
and month of publication, was as accurate as
possible at the time the catalogue was compiled.
Occasionally, due to the nature of some contractual restrictions, we
are unable to ship a specific product to a particular territory.
Jacket images are provisional and liable to change before publication.
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