Author: Derek Bickerton
Publisher: Hill and Wang
ISBN: 1429930292
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 295
Book Description
How language evolved has been called "the hardest problem in science." In Adam's Tongue, Derek Bickerton—long a leading authority in this field—shows how and why previous attempts to solve that problem have fallen short. Taking cues from topics as diverse as the foraging strategies of ants, the distribution of large prehistoric herbivores, and the construction of ecological niches, Bickerton produces a dazzling new alternative to the conventional wisdom. Language is unique to humans, but it isn't the only thing that sets us apart from other species—our cognitive powers are qualitatively different. So could there be two separate discontinuities between humans and the rest of nature? No, says Bickerton; he shows how the mere possession of symbolic units—words—automatically opened a new and different cognitive universe, one that yielded novel innovations ranging from barbed arrowheads to the Apollo spacecraft. Written in Bickerton's lucid and irreverent style, this book is the first that thoroughly integrates the story of how language evolved with the story of how humans evolved. Sure to be controversial, it will make indispensable reading both for experts in the field and for every reader who has ever wondered how a species as remarkable as ours could have come into existence.
Adam's Tongue
Author: Derek Bickerton
Publisher: Hill and Wang
ISBN: 1429930292
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 295
Book Description
How language evolved has been called "the hardest problem in science." In Adam's Tongue, Derek Bickerton—long a leading authority in this field—shows how and why previous attempts to solve that problem have fallen short. Taking cues from topics as diverse as the foraging strategies of ants, the distribution of large prehistoric herbivores, and the construction of ecological niches, Bickerton produces a dazzling new alternative to the conventional wisdom. Language is unique to humans, but it isn't the only thing that sets us apart from other species—our cognitive powers are qualitatively different. So could there be two separate discontinuities between humans and the rest of nature? No, says Bickerton; he shows how the mere possession of symbolic units—words—automatically opened a new and different cognitive universe, one that yielded novel innovations ranging from barbed arrowheads to the Apollo spacecraft. Written in Bickerton's lucid and irreverent style, this book is the first that thoroughly integrates the story of how language evolved with the story of how humans evolved. Sure to be controversial, it will make indispensable reading both for experts in the field and for every reader who has ever wondered how a species as remarkable as ours could have come into existence.
Publisher: Hill and Wang
ISBN: 1429930292
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 295
Book Description
How language evolved has been called "the hardest problem in science." In Adam's Tongue, Derek Bickerton—long a leading authority in this field—shows how and why previous attempts to solve that problem have fallen short. Taking cues from topics as diverse as the foraging strategies of ants, the distribution of large prehistoric herbivores, and the construction of ecological niches, Bickerton produces a dazzling new alternative to the conventional wisdom. Language is unique to humans, but it isn't the only thing that sets us apart from other species—our cognitive powers are qualitatively different. So could there be two separate discontinuities between humans and the rest of nature? No, says Bickerton; he shows how the mere possession of symbolic units—words—automatically opened a new and different cognitive universe, one that yielded novel innovations ranging from barbed arrowheads to the Apollo spacecraft. Written in Bickerton's lucid and irreverent style, this book is the first that thoroughly integrates the story of how language evolved with the story of how humans evolved. Sure to be controversial, it will make indispensable reading both for experts in the field and for every reader who has ever wondered how a species as remarkable as ours could have come into existence.
Herd Register
Author: American Jersey Cattle Club
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Cattle
Languages : en
Pages : 458
Book Description
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Cattle
Languages : en
Pages : 458
Book Description
Words Like Daggers
Author: Kirilka Stavreva
Publisher: U of Nebraska Press
ISBN: 0803286570
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 289
Book Description
Dramatic and documentary narratives about aggressive and garrulous women often cast such women as reckless and ultimately unsuccessful usurpers of cultural authority. Contending narratives, however, sometimes within the same texts, point to the effective subversion and undoing of the normative restrictions of social and gender hierarchies. Words Like Daggers explores the scolding invectives, malevolent curses, and ecstatic prophesies of early modern women as attested to in legal documents, letters, self-narratives, popular pamphlets, ballads, and dramas of the era. Examining the framing and performance of violent female speech between the 1590s and the 1660s, Kirilka Stavreva dismantles the myth of the silent and obedient women who allegedly populated early modern England. Blending gender theory with detailed historical analysis, Words Like Daggers asserts the power of women's language--the power to subvert binaries and destabilize social hierarchies, particularly those of gender--in the early modern era. In the process Stavreva reconstructs the speech acts of individual contentious women, such as the scold Janet Dalton, the witch Alice Samuel, and the Quaker Elizabeth Stirredge. Because the dramatic potential of women's powerful rhetorical performances was recognized not only by victims and witnesses of individual violent speech acts but also by theater professionals, Stavreva also focuses on how the stage, arguably the most influential cultural institution of the Renaissance, orchestrated and aestheticized women's fighting words and, in so doing, showcased and augmented their cultural significance.
Publisher: U of Nebraska Press
ISBN: 0803286570
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 289
Book Description
Dramatic and documentary narratives about aggressive and garrulous women often cast such women as reckless and ultimately unsuccessful usurpers of cultural authority. Contending narratives, however, sometimes within the same texts, point to the effective subversion and undoing of the normative restrictions of social and gender hierarchies. Words Like Daggers explores the scolding invectives, malevolent curses, and ecstatic prophesies of early modern women as attested to in legal documents, letters, self-narratives, popular pamphlets, ballads, and dramas of the era. Examining the framing and performance of violent female speech between the 1590s and the 1660s, Kirilka Stavreva dismantles the myth of the silent and obedient women who allegedly populated early modern England. Blending gender theory with detailed historical analysis, Words Like Daggers asserts the power of women's language--the power to subvert binaries and destabilize social hierarchies, particularly those of gender--in the early modern era. In the process Stavreva reconstructs the speech acts of individual contentious women, such as the scold Janet Dalton, the witch Alice Samuel, and the Quaker Elizabeth Stirredge. Because the dramatic potential of women's powerful rhetorical performances was recognized not only by victims and witnesses of individual violent speech acts but also by theater professionals, Stavreva also focuses on how the stage, arguably the most influential cultural institution of the Renaissance, orchestrated and aestheticized women's fighting words and, in so doing, showcased and augmented their cultural significance.
Associated Advertising
Farm Implement News Buyer's Guide
Author: Farm Implement News Co., Chicago
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Agricultural machinery
Languages : en
Pages : 492
Book Description
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Agricultural machinery
Languages : en
Pages : 492
Book Description
The National Cyclopedia of American Biography
Ace
Author: D. K. Adams
Publisher: Outskirts Press
ISBN: 9781432796969
Category : Family & Relationships
Languages : en
Pages : 88
Book Description
This story chronicles the first year of a veteran with his guide dog. Guide Dogs for the visually impaired are truly remarkable animals and the bond that develops between these two can be extraordinary. Total trust and unconditional love are the corner stones of their relationship. This book follows that development in a light hearted, tongue-in-cheek manner from the dog's perspective. Alyce La Gasse from OR wrote; Move over Lassie, Ace the Guide Dog Detective is on the job now. With a unique combination of humor, pathos, and ingenious dog-dialog, Adams cleverly conveys his very special relationship with Ace. Through a series of shared adventures with Ken, 'the blond', and the hero of the story, Ace, the reader is introduced to the world of those who have limited or no vision and their challenges. There is no self-pity in Ken's story . . . in a very sweet and delightful tongue-in-cheek presentation; he shares his love for his dog, their dedication to each other, and his joy in having Ace as a guide, a partner, and a friend. Phillip Blaney from CA. wrote; I really liked this book. A good story line and I loved the way he drew the reader into the story. A good read for all ages, a dog lovers delight. Rich Holland from PA. wrote; I just finished reading your book. Without wanting to sound patronizing, IT WAS GREAT!!! What a dog! I really and truly enjoyed reading it and will recommend it to all. Jim Aker from VA. wrote; I loved the book. Good for all dog lovers and others as well. I would recommend it for young and old alike. I look forward to his next book.
Publisher: Outskirts Press
ISBN: 9781432796969
Category : Family & Relationships
Languages : en
Pages : 88
Book Description
This story chronicles the first year of a veteran with his guide dog. Guide Dogs for the visually impaired are truly remarkable animals and the bond that develops between these two can be extraordinary. Total trust and unconditional love are the corner stones of their relationship. This book follows that development in a light hearted, tongue-in-cheek manner from the dog's perspective. Alyce La Gasse from OR wrote; Move over Lassie, Ace the Guide Dog Detective is on the job now. With a unique combination of humor, pathos, and ingenious dog-dialog, Adams cleverly conveys his very special relationship with Ace. Through a series of shared adventures with Ken, 'the blond', and the hero of the story, Ace, the reader is introduced to the world of those who have limited or no vision and their challenges. There is no self-pity in Ken's story . . . in a very sweet and delightful tongue-in-cheek presentation; he shares his love for his dog, their dedication to each other, and his joy in having Ace as a guide, a partner, and a friend. Phillip Blaney from CA. wrote; I really liked this book. A good story line and I loved the way he drew the reader into the story. A good read for all ages, a dog lovers delight. Rich Holland from PA. wrote; I just finished reading your book. Without wanting to sound patronizing, IT WAS GREAT!!! What a dog! I really and truly enjoyed reading it and will recommend it to all. Jim Aker from VA. wrote; I loved the book. Good for all dog lovers and others as well. I would recommend it for young and old alike. I look forward to his next book.
The Bards of the Bible
Author: George Gilfillan
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Bible
Languages : en
Pages : 424
Book Description
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Bible
Languages : en
Pages : 424
Book Description
Closed Doors
Author: Margaret Prescott Montague
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Blind children
Languages : en
Pages : 230
Book Description
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Blind children
Languages : en
Pages : 230
Book Description