It is often said that speech is what distinguishes us from other
animals. But are we all talk? What if language was bequeathed to us
not by word of mouth, but as a hand-me-down?
The notion that language evolved not from animal cries but from
manual and facial gestures--that, for most of human history,
actions have spoken louder than words--has been around since
Condillac. But never before has anyone developed a full-fledged
theory of how, why, and with what effects language evolved from a
gestural system to the spoken word. Marshaling far-flung evidence
from anthropology, animal behavior, neurology, molecular biology,
anatomy, linguistics, and evolutionary psychology, Michael
Corballis makes the case that language developed, with the
emergence of Homo sapiens, from primate gestures to a true signed
language, complete with grammar and syntax and at best punctuated
with grunts and other vocalizations. While vocal utterance played
an increasingly important complementary role, autonomous speech did
not appear until about 50,000 years ago--much later than generally
believed.
Bringing in significant new evidence to bolster what has been a
minority view, Corballis goes beyond earlier supporters of a
gestural theory by suggesting why speech eventually (but not
completely ) supplanted gesture. He then uses this milestone to
account for the artistic explosion and demographic triumph of the
particular group of Homo sapiens from whom we are descended. And he
asserts that speech, like written language, was a cultural
invention and not a biological fait accompli.
Writing with wit and eloquence, Corballis makes nimble reference
to literature, mythology, natural history, sports, and contemporary
politics as he explains in fascinating detail what we now know
about such varied subjects as early hominid evolution, modern
signed languages, and the causes of left-handedness. "From Hand to
Mouth" will have scholars and laymen alike talking--and sometimes
gesturing--for years to come.
General
Imprint: |
Princeton University Press
|
Country of origin: |
United States |
Release date: |
October 2003 |
First published: |
October 2003 |
Authors: |
Michael C. Corballis
|
Dimensions: |
235 x 156 x 17mm (L x W x T) |
Format: |
Paperback
|
Pages: |
272 |
Edition: |
Revised |
ISBN-13: |
978-0-691-11673-0 |
Categories: |
Books
|
LSN: |
0-691-11673-3 |
Barcode: |
9780691116730 |
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