Language did not evolve only in the distant past. Our shared
understanding of the meanings of words is ever-changing, and we
make conscious, rational decisions about which words to use and
what to mean by them every day. Applying Darwin's theory of
"unconscious artificial selection" to the evolution of linguistic
conventions, Daniel Cloud suggests a new, evolutionary explanation
for the rich, complex, and continually reinvented meanings of our
words.
The choice of which words to use and in which sense to use them
is both a "selection event" and an intentional decision, making
Darwin's account of artificial selection a particularly compelling
model of the evolution of words. After drawing an analogy between
the theory of domestication offered by Darwin and the evolution of
human languages and cultures, Cloud applies his analytical
framework to the question of what makes humans unique, and how they
became that way. He incorporates insights from David Lewis's
"Convention," Brian Skyrms's "Signals," and Kim Sterelny's "Evolved
Apprentice," all while emphasizing the role of deliberate human
choice in the crafting of language over time. His clever and
intuitive model casts humans' cultural and linguistic evolution as
an integrated, dynamic process, with results that reach into all
corners of our private lives and public character.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
