The Seeds of Speech: Language Origin and Evolution (Cambridge Approaches to Linguistics) [Hardcover]

Jean Aitchison (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 31, 1996 | Series: Cambridge Approaches to Linguistics

Human language is a weird communication system: it has more in common with birdsong than the calls of other primates. In this clear and non-technical overview, Jean Aitchison explores why it evolved and how it developed. She likens the search to a vast prehistoric jigsaw puzzle, in which numerous fragments of evidence must be assembled, some external to language, such as evolution theory, animal communication; others internal, including child language, pidgins and creoles, and language change. She explains why language is so strange, outlines recent theories about its origin, and discusses possible paths of evolution. Jean Aitchison is the Rupert Murdoch Professor of Language and Communication at Oxford University. She gave the 1996 BBC Reith lectures The Language Web.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'To be recommended to anyone with a curiosity about their language, where it came from and how it reached its present state.' Child Language Teaching and Therapy

Book Description

Human language is a weird communication system: it has more in common with birdsong than the calls of other primates. Jean Aitchison is the 1996 BBC Reith lecturer.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 293 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (May 31, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521462460
• ISBN-13: 978-0521462464
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,498,721 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars these seeds bore fruit, May 19, 2005

By 

Tom Reynolds (Wuhan, China) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Seeds of Speech: Language Origin and Evolution (Canto) (Paperback)

Aitchison has written another page turner. If this book doesn't keep you up until 3am desperate to finish, nothing will. It is divided into four sections: puzzles, origin, evolution, and diffusion. Puzzles deals with the theories as to how language began and developed. What was it originally for? and touches a little on the area of psycholinguistics. The second section deals with the issue of where it began on earth and how it spread out. The issues of the first chapter are expanded on and answers provided. The third section details the evolution of language based on what we currently know about language creation among the higher apes and among indigenous peoples who are exposed to foreign languages (pidgins, creoles). The last section deals with the diffusion we know today and with the idea of a universal grammar that would unite all human language under certain principles.

As always Aitchison has managed to present a lot of information succinctly and without clouding the issues. A good introduction to the subject.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cerebellums, Chimpanzees, and Chomsky, January 6, 2011

By 

Stephen Pellerine (In a bookshelf somewhere) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Seeds of Speech: Language Origin and Evolution (Canto) (Paperback)

I like this book a lot. It starts with a statement/question on the first page

A natural curiosity: How did language begin? It is an amazing thought and question and admittedly if you are reading this review you have an interest in language/linguistics and have probably thought of this before, but many people have not. Just ask a few. The conversations that follow will be intriguing.

Other chapters in the first part of the book ask: What is language for? Why do languages differ? And Is Language and Independent Skill? It looks at the cerebellum, chimpanzees, and Chomsky - so a well rounded book considering the neurology and cultural underpinnings of how language may have evolved and why.

For the MA student in linguistics or TESOL this is a very useful reference/read - don't hesitate. For average civilian you may need a peculiar interest in linguistics to find this riveting - or an interest in a range of topics offered here during life. It is a great book.