Daniel Leonard Everett is the author of Don't Sleep, There Are Snakes, a fascinating look at language and the Pirahã people. He's known for his work exploring linguistics and anthropology.
How language began
How language began
Synopsis
Daniel L. Everett, a linguist known for his groundbreaking work, explores the evolutionary journey of language, from early hominid communication to the thousands of languages spoken today. Challenging established linguistic theories, Everett proposes that language is not intrinsic to our species but rather began with Homo Erectus through culturally invented symbols. He traces crucial shifts and developments across 60,000 generations, advocating for an interdisciplinary approach that considers both culture and biology to understand language's true origins.
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Edition
How Language BeganKindle, 2017
352 pages
W. W. NortonLanguage: EnglishISBN: 9780871404770Reprint3 editions available
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Frequently asked questions
Does this book connect to Daniel Everett's earlier work on the Pirahã language?
Daniel Everett's previous research on the Pirahã language and culture significantly informs his arguments in this book, particularly his theories on the cultural origins of language and the role of necessity in its development. Readers familiar with his earlier ethnographic work will recognize the foundational ideas expanded upon here.
What makes this book different from other theories on the origin of language?
This book challenges the widely accepted Chomskyan view that language is an innate, biological faculty, instead proposing that language is a cultural invention that emerged from Homo Erectus's need to solve problems. It emphasizes the role of culture and practical communication over a purely genetic predisposition.