The Seeds of Speech
：Language Origin and
Evolution
Human language is a
weird communication
system：it has more in
common with birdsong
than withthe calls of
other primates.Jean
Aitchison explores the
origins of human
language and how it has
evolved.She likens the
search to a vast
prehistoric jigsaw puzzle
，in which numerous
fragments of evidence
must be assembled.Such
evidence is pieced
together from a mixture
of linguistic and non-
linguistic sources like
evolution theory，
archaeology，psychology
，and anthropology.The
Seeds of Speech is an
accessible and wide-
ranging introduction to
the origins and evolution
of human language.
\"We must be grateful
to Jean Aitchison for so
very readably assembling
a good deal of recent
work that might seem to
hint at how language
began...the author goes
out of her way to offer a
restful read to all
comers.\"
目录
Preface by Halliday
王宗炎序
Preface by Chomsky
沈家煊序
导读
Foreword to the Canto edition
Preface
Part 1 Puzzles
1.A natural curiosity：
How did language begin?
2.A peculiar habit：
What is language for?
3.The bother at Babel：
Why do languages differ so much?
4.Distinct duties：
Is language an independent skill?
Part 2 Origin
5.The family tree：
The evolutionary background
6.A devious mind：
The basic requirements
7.Broken air：
Inherited ingredients
8.Small beginnings：
First steps
Part 3 Evolution
9.The second word：
The emergence of rules
10.The tower of speech：Expansion
11.Time travelling：
Extra attachments
12.Rebuilding on the high seas：
Keeping going
Part 4 Diffusion
13.The widening circle：
Moving outwards
14.The hidden core：
The hunt for universals
15.The real magician：
Ruling the rules
16.Unweaving the rainbow：Separating the strands
17.The endless stair：Past and future
Symbols used in the text
Notes and suggestions for further reading
References
Index
文库索引
