Original Signs: Gesture, Sign, and the Sources of LanguageSince 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. |
Contents
Where Did Language Come From? | 15 |
The Rage to Order | 45 |
Speech and Sign | 65 |
Copyright | |
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ability According American appears argument aspects associated attempt become behavior brain called capacity chapter chimpanzees Chomsky claims communication complex consider course culture Deacon deaf described diagrams early elements English evidence evolution evolutionary example explain expressed fact functions fundamental genetic gesture given grammatical groups guage hand hearing hemisphere hominids Homo human iconic idea important involved known least less linguistic living meaning natural Notes noun objects organized origin perhaps phonology phrase Pinker position possible presented problem processes production question reason refer relationships relatively represent respect rules seen semantic sense sentence separate signed languages similar simply simultaneous social society sort sounds speakers species speech spoken languages Stokoe structure suggests symbolic theory things thought tion tree understanding University University Press verb visual vocal Whorf writing York