{"product_id":"9781107619753-secondhand-the-language-myth-why-language-is-not-an-instinct","title":"The Language Myth: Why Language Is Not an Instinct","description":"Language is central to our lives, the cultural tool that arguably sets us apart from other species. Some scientists have argued that language is innate, a type of unique human 'instinct' pre-programmed in us from birth. In this book, Vyvyan Evans argues that this received wisdom is, in fact, a myth. Debunking the notion of a language 'instinct', Evans demonstrates that language is related to other animal forms of communication; that languages exhibit staggering diversity; that we learn our mother tongue drawing on general properties and abilities of the human mind, rather than an inborn 'universal' grammar; that language is not autonomous but is closely related to other aspects of our mental lives; and that, ultimately, language and the mind reflect and draw upon the way we interact with others in the world. Compellingly written and drawing on cutting-edge research, The Language Myth sets out a forceful alternative to the received wisdom, showing how language and the mind really work.","brand":"Secondhand Stock","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50625100546267,"sku":"9781107619753-SECONDHAND","price":12.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0523\/7646\/9701\/files\/f995e544-70c6-41ea-b714-c4e91b0c6407.jpg?v=1791891146","url":"https:\/\/bookgrocer.com\/products\/9781107619753-secondhand-the-language-myth-why-language-is-not-an-instinct","provider":"Book Grocer","version":"1.0","type":"link"}