Scan barcode
imme_van_gorp's review against another edition
3.0
|| 3.0 stars ||
This is a book that attempts to explain why language exists the way it does and why humans are the only species (on Earth) capable of a high-functioning language.
Its explanation comes in the form of a Universal Grammar, which is described as an innate hierarchical linguistic structure, governed by the Laws of Language, functioning through nature’s self-similarity.
Obviously this is quite a mouth full, but the book itself is concise and clear: It describes the relevant theory and also gives scientific examples from previous research.
The book provides logical analogies and conclusions that do not leave much room to do anything but agree with what the author is telling us. Overall, it was quite persuasive, even if a bit drawn out.
This is a book that attempts to explain why language exists the way it does and why humans are the only species (on Earth) capable of a high-functioning language.
Its explanation comes in the form of a Universal Grammar, which is described as an innate hierarchical linguistic structure, governed by the Laws of Language, functioning through nature’s self-similarity.
Obviously this is quite a mouth full, but the book itself is concise and clear: It describes the relevant theory and also gives scientific examples from previous research.
The book provides logical analogies and conclusions that do not leave much room to do anything but agree with what the author is telling us. Overall, it was quite persuasive, even if a bit drawn out.
bookishstone's review against another edition
3.0
I received an advanced listening copy of this book. It was... dense. I had trouble listening to it because a lot of the examples of language are things he meant for the reader to see laid out on the page. Listening to it made it a little confusing at times. It was a fascinating topic, but I recommend readers pick up the print copy instead of the audio.
emily_otter's review against another edition
4.0
A delightful book about language that is also (likely) accessible for those without a linguistics background.
meghan_is_reading's review against another edition
I'm not convinced of the main argument, but I'm also not convinced I completely understood all the arguments so
elinrss's review
informative
medium-paced
3.0
Not sure I completely agree with this, going to have to go through some other articles I’ve read in the past and make some notes.
katebrarian's review
4.0
I love the idea of Universal Grammar, and this book explains it really nicely and goes over a lot of the evidence for it well. I also really like that Adger goes over sign languages as well, and mentions signing at the same time as he mentions speaking when referring to languages.
More...