What are the key design elements of human language? How does it work? What makes it different from how animals communicate and convey information? How did it evolve, biologically speaking? In what respects do animals fail to do what we humans do so effortlessly? Language is a uniquely human trait, but without a degree in linguistics, it is difficult to comprehend how it works. This fascinating book addresses these and related questions in a lively and engaging way, and demonstrates the 'nuts and bolts' of how language actually works. Readers are introduced to key discoveries in the study of language, such as Chomsky's ideas about 'language faculty', and parallels are drawn with well-known issues in science, such as 'flat earth', the nature-nurture debate, and the teaching of language to apes. Language - something so universal to all human experience - is a fascinating cognitive system, and this book explains how, and why.
| ISBN: | 9781009658287 |
| Publication date: | 14th May 2026 |
| Author: | Asya Pereltsvaig |
| Publisher: | Cambridge University Press |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 298 pages |
| Genres: |
Grammar, syntax and morphology Language learning: grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation Communication studies Psycholinguistics and cognitive linguistics Historical and comparative linguistics |
What are the key design elements of human language? How does it work? What makes it different from how animals communicate and convey information? How did it evolve, biologically speaking? In what respects do animals fail to do what we humans do so effortlessly? Language is a uniquely human trait, but without a degree in linguistics, it is difficult to comprehend how it works. This fascinating book addresses these and related questions in a lively and engaging way, and demonstrates the 'nuts and bolts' of how language actually works. Readers are introduced to key discoveries in the study of language, such as Chomsky's ideas about 'language faculty', and parallels are drawn with well-known issues in science, such as 'flat earth', the nature-nurture debate, and the teaching of language to apes. Language - something so universal to all human experience - is a fascinating cognitive system, and this book explains how, and why.
Language Rules! features in the following genres: Grammar, syntax and morphology, Language learning: grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation, Communication studies, Psycholinguistics and cognitive linguistics, Historical and comparative linguistics
Language Rules! is available in Hardback, Paperback
Language Rules! was written by Asya Pereltsvaig and published by Cambridge University Press
Language Rules! has 298 pages
£19.80