Review by Choice Review
This is a nontechnical overview of the current state of research and thinking about the nature and origin of language--thus the subtitle. According to Corballis (emer., psychology, Univ. of Auckland, NZ), language is not the result of a semi-miraculous mutational event occurring about 100,000 years ago as some, e.g., Noam Chomsky, have held. Rather, humans' unique language facilities evolved over eons from the gestural capacities of early primates. Hand (or paw) and facial gestures such as pointing, waving, and grimacing slowly gave way to verbal expression. This is a plausible explanation of "where it came from." But Corballis's view of "what it is," although widely shared, is dubious. In a chapter titled "Stories," the author writes that "humans ... invented ways to share ... thoughts. That is what language is for." It seems more likely that language developed and is for the purpose of enabling humans to coordinate activities. The expression of thoughts is nice but not central to the purpose or origin of language. Corballis covers a large number of topics in animal behavior and human culture, but much of the discussion is superficial and fleeting, albeit entertaining. Corballis is a good writer, and he engages his readers. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers. --Stephen P. Schwartz, Ithaca College
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
In this provocative and well-written book, Corballis (psychology emeritus, Univ. of Auckland, New Zealand; The Wandering Mind) makes a strong and convincing argument that human language evolved gradually over time and did not come about as a "sudden emergence" as Noam Chomsky and Stephen Jay Gould have claimed. The notion of the evolutionary nature of human language has gained much currency in recent years, and -Corballis's work poses compelling evidence in support of this. The diversity among the more than 6,000 languages that exist may not reflect a progression from one initial tongue to many. In the author's assertion that the emergence of speech was evolutionary-it is possible that language was initially a combination of sight and sound with "the vocal component gradually increasing, diminishing the role of gestures"-he advances the strength of the evolutionary nature of language. As knowledge in the fields of archaeology, technology, neuroscience, and linguistics continues to grow, more will be revealed on this fascinating subject. VERDICT -Linguists, anthropologists, and general readers interested in the evolution of human -language will appreciate this volume.-Herbert E. Shapiro, Lifelong Learning Soc., Florida Atlantic Univ., Boca Raton © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Daring to question Noam Chomsky's "big bang" theory about language in humans.In his latest book, Corballis (Emeritus, Psychology/Univ. of Auckland; The Wandering Mind: What the Brain Does When You're Not Looking, 2015, etc.) expertly renders the inspired but inconclusive landscape of contemporary linguistic theory. According to Chomsky's theory, writes Corballis, "language must have arisen uniquely, and suddenly, in our species." While a large number of linguists ascribe to this belief, Corballis suspects biological and cultural influences may have something to do with the estimated 6,000 languages spoken in the world today. He attempts to "explain how language might have come about through the incremental processes of Darwinian evolution and not as some sudden gift that placed us beyond the reach of biological principles." To do so, the author takes a calculated leap backward through evolutionary and philosophical history. Using a wealth of well-researched anecdotes about Neanderthals, cave paintings, gesturing apes, and well-trained border collies (to name a few), Corballis exemplifies moments of the human and animal minds fine-tuning their abilities to communicate. His journey into the written world is equally broad and insightful, incorporating such literary touchstones as the book of John's first words, the Epic of Gilgamesh, Darwin's On the Origin of Species, and the British nursery rhyme "The House that Jack Built." These moments will compel readers to share their findings with others, but they don't always gel with other discoveries mentioned elsewhere in the book. This may be problematic to scholars looking for advancements in the field, but newcomers will find this diverse presentation to be exhilarating and illuminating. Corballis' deluge of well-organized facts and ideas are a thrill to read, and they support his thesis that Chomsky is incorrect to define language in miraculous absolutes. The truth about language is that there's still so much to learn. A fine, accessible introduction to a captivating, and still evolving, academic field. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
