Reddit meter
How Language Began
352 pages, 2017
science & nature
1064 booksMankind 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 seven thousand 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 among 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.
How Language Began ultimately explains what we know, what we’d like to know, and what we likely never will know about how humans went from mere communication to language. Based on nearly forty years of fieldwork, Everett debunks long-held theories by some of history’s greatest thinkers, from Plato to Chomsky. The result is an invaluable study of what makes us human.
In 'How Language Began', Daniel Everett explores the origins of language. He suggests that language is not exclusive to humans and that it has been around for nearly two million years. This challenges the traditional belief that language is a recent development in human evolution.
Everett argues that language is a cultural invention, not a biological instinct. He believes that humans developed language as a tool to communicate and share ideas, rather than it being an innate ability. This perspective encourages us to see language as a dynamic and evolving entity.
One of the key points in 'How Language Began' is the importance of symbols in language development. Everett suggests that the ability to create and understand symbols is a crucial step in the evolution of language. So, if you're interested in how we ended up with the complex languages we have today, you should definitely check this book out.
Everett also delves into the power of speech. He argues that spoken language has a significant impact on our social interactions and our ability to share knowledge. This book will make you appreciate the power of words and the impact they can have on our lives.
In 'How Language Began', you'll also find a deep dive into the diversity of languages. Everett explores how different cultures and environments have influenced the development of various languages. This book will give you a new perspective on the richness and diversity of human communication.