Language is an essential part of what makes us human. Where did it come from? How did it develop into the complex system we know today? And what can an evolutionary perspective tell us about the nature of language and communication? Drawing on a range of disciplines including cognitive science, linguistics, anthropology and evolutionary biology, Speaking Our Minds explains how language evolved and why we are the only species to communicate in this way. Written by a rising star in the field, this groundbreaking book is required reading for anyone interested in understanding the origins and evolution of human communication and language.
Fascinating and original, Scott-Phillips presents a novel thesis explaining the origins and evolution of language to answer the questions of why language is unique to humans and how language developed. Drawing on evolutionary psychology, biology, linguistics and anthropology, it is essential reading for anyone interested in language's evolution.
