Publications

Publication details [#26486]

Hurford, James, Michael Studdert-Kennedy and Chris Knight. 2000. The evolutionary emergence of language. Social function and the origins of linguistic form. Cambridge University Press. XI+426 pp.

Publication type

Book – monograph

Publication language

English

Keywords

computer simulation | language change | language origins | phonology1 | syntax1

Annotation

This volume deals with the social functions of language in relationship to language origins, with the emergence of phonology and with syntax. It focuses on the use of computers to outline agent-based models and run simulations of language evolution. Language seems to emerge rather through cultural than through biological evolution.

Reviewed by

Urban, Greg. 2002. Review of $The evolutionary emergence of language. Social function and the origins of linguistic form.