The Science Times Book of Language and Linguistics - Hardcover

In the latest book in the series, editor Nichols Wade and the award-winning New York Times journalists explore the mysterious roots of language.Every culture has language, and we have long considered our ability to articulate to be what makes human beings unique in the animal world. It now appears certain that animals have fairly complex ways of communicating as well. Times reporters examine findings that shed light on animal "language," from the subsonic songs of the African elephants that can travel up to two miles through the ground to the rich rhyming schemes of the humpback whales.Our own species' development of language capacity remains a fascinating study. Did Neanderthals have spoken language? Which of the earliest cultures had written language? Among the tales herein are the search for the hypothetical mother tongue from which all languages are descended; linguists' reconstruction of lost languages; and archaeologists' discovery of 4,000-year-old Caucasian mummy remains in China that suggest astonishing possibilities.The human brain and how it acquires language is a constant source of scientific interest. Articles on the ways in which babies learn language, laughter's role in communication, how music works in the brain, how brain disorders affect language development, and how men and women use language differently are just some of the tantalizing research covered. The Science Times Book of Language and Linguistics is sure to captivate history buffs, animal lovers, students, and anyone who has an interest in language and culture. (71/4 X 91/2, 212 pages, illustrations)