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  • How Language Began

  • The Story of Humanity's Greatest Invention
  • Written by: Daniel L. Everett
  • Narrated by: Jonathan Yen
  • Length: 13 hrs and 10 mins
  • 4.0 out of 5 stars (3 ratings)

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How Language Began

Written by: Daniel L. Everett
Narrated by: Jonathan Yen
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Publisher's Summary

Mankind has a distinct advantage over other terrestrial species: we talk to one another. But how did we acquire the most advanced form of communication on Earth? Daniel L. Everett, a "bombshell" linguist and "instant folk hero" (Tom Wolfe, Harper's), provides in this sweeping history a comprehensive examination of the evolutionary story of language, from the earliest speaking attempts by hominids to the more than 7,000 languages that exist today.

Although fossil hunters and linguists have brought us closer to unearthing the true origins of language, Daniel Everett's discoveries have upended the contemporary linguistic world, reverberating far beyond academic circles. While conducting field research in the Amazonian rainforest, Everett came across an age-old language nestled amongst a tribe of hunter-gatherers. Challenging long-standing principles in the field, Everett now builds on the theory that language was not intrinsic to our species. In order to truly understand its origins, a more interdisciplinary approach is needed - one that accounts as much for our propensity for culture as it does our biological makeup.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2017 Daniel Everett (P)2018 Tantor

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Interesting

Interesting take on origins of language. I struggled with his use of the word "culture." It not only includes sociological and anthropological factors, but also physical, geographic, climatic, and historical factors, so I think he really means "environment." The linguistic elements all are correct, and when it comes to explanations of change the author gracefully acknowledges competing theories, even when he fully disagrees. Nice array of languages that were used to pull examples.

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