Origins of Grammar: An Anthropological Perspective by Martin Edwardes Paperback: 192 pages Published: September 22, 2010 ISBN-10: 1441170987 ISBN-13: 978-1441170989
An important feature of human language grammar is that it seems to be unrepeated in nature; it does, therefore, seem to be a candidate for what differentiates us as a species. As an emergent capacity, however, it cannot be the whole story: the capacities from which it emerges must be more deeply implicated in our humanness than grammar itself. Martin Edwardes has written a wonderfully clear book that sets out the central issues in linguistics that are pertinent to the evolution of grammar and brings them into contact with psychological and anthropological concerns. The style is accessible and will meet a broad audience but the thesis will set academics thinking, arguing and reaching for their pens.