The Language Instinct

Critics

• Wired for Sound

  There was language long before there was writing, a fact that we literate investigators tend to underestimate. Today we are building the information superhighway, and for several millennia the written word has been a primary medium of cultural transm ... (read full critics)

  lrb published on Fri, 3 Sep 2010

• The Language Instinct: The New Science of Language and Mind

  As the title suggests, Pinker's The Language Instinct supports the theory that language is innate and that humans have a common "universal grammar". This is a major theme of his book. Another is the correction of common misconceptions about language ... (read full critics)

  dannyreviews published on Tue, 24 Aug 2010

4 Reviews

• 2 people find this helpful

  

  The pleasure of studying

  To begin with, I must confess I have had a few troubles finishing this book, but simply because I've fallen so in love with it that it really cost me a lot to end it.

  The Language Instinct has definitely made it to the top three list of my all time favorite books. Written in an informative yet ... (continue)

  To begin with, I must confess I have had a few troubles finishing this book, but simply because I've fallen so in love with it that it really cost me a lot to end it.

  The Language Instinct has definitely made it to the top three list of my all time favorite books. Written in an informative yet accessible way, every chapter both a new discovery, a challenge and a new adventure, The Language Instinct is the equivalent of an erudite yet enjoyable travel companion who entertains rather than lectures the reader with its knowledge.

  And just like the end of a pleasant journey, it is deeply sad to finally reach the last page. At the same time, just like every formative experience in life, when you finally reach the end cover, you walk away from The Language Instinct enriched in mind and spirit.

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  Celtic Manu said on May 28, 2009 | Add your feedback

• 1 person find this helpful

  

  You may disagree with some of its claims, but this book is still a masterpiece.

  I cannot pretend to have understood everything in this book, but the sheer volume of information, anecdotes and insights make this book a masterpiece. I have doubts over some of Pinker's claims, but I know no better. Just learning about the controversies is rewarding enough. Finishing this book i ... (continue)

  I cannot pretend to have understood everything in this book, but the sheer volume of information, anecdotes and insights make this book a masterpiece. I have doubts over some of Pinker's claims, but I know no better. Just learning about the controversies is rewarding enough. Finishing this book is comparable to ending an epic journey - tired yes, but enlightened.

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  Holmes said on Sep 25, 2008 | Add your feedback

• 

  A very interesting and eye opening book that makes dull knowledge alive and fascinating...I think. And the first HUGE non-textbook that I finished within such a short time! Worth celebrating!!!!

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  Discovering the World said on Jun 1, 2010 | Add your feedback

• Popular science done right. I later took a course in syntax (2006), but more because of the blog "Language Log" than because of this book.

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  Leebeck said on Feb 29, 2008 | Add your feedback

Book Details

• Rating:
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• English Books
• Paperback 496 Pages
• Edition: New Ed
• ISBN-10: 0140175296
• ISBN-13: 9780140175295
• Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
• Pub date: Mar 30, 1995
• Dimensions: 1290 mm x 839 mm x 129 mm Just how big is that?
• Also available as: Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Others and eBook
• In other languages: other languages Libri Italiani

Groups with this in collection

• NY Times Notable Book Club (474)
• atheist science (8)

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