The Nature of Language, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 2014 Evolution, Paradigms and Circuits

The Nature of Language addresses one of the most fundamental questions of mankind: how did language evolve, and what are the neurobiological and cognitive foundations  of language processing? These questions are explored from different perspectives to discuss the building blocks of language evolution and how they developed in the way they can be found in modern humans. Primarily, neural mapping methods of cognition presented in this research provide extremely valuable data about the neural circuitries that are involved in language processing. Thus, the book explores and illustrates cortical mapping in typical language patterns, but also cortical mapping in atypical populations that fail to process particular language aspects. A neurobiological stance is used to inquire about how language abilities of our species evolved to communicate for the purposes of conveying information such as ideas, emotions, goals, and humor. The evolutionary language model presented builds on the cognitive abilities of our ancestors, and it allows readers to draw a variety of expansive conclusions from that, including the idea that human language as an interface system provides the basis for consciousness.

Preface.- Introduction.- PART I. Evolution. - Chapter 1: The Human Lineage.-  1.1 An Overview.- 1.2 Fossil Evidence.- Chapter 2. Protomusic and Speech.- 2.1 The Role of Protomusic.- 2.2 Evolutionary Milestones.- Chapter 3. Genetic Foundations.- 3.1 Language-Related Genes.- 3.2 The Role of the Basal Ganglia.- Chapter 4. The Rise of Cognition.- 4.1 Comparative Studies.- 4.2 Proto-Cognition.- PART II. Paradigms.- Chapter 5. The Human Language System.- 5.1 Biological Disposition.- 5.2 Linguistic Wiring.- Chapter 6. Semantics and Syntax.- 6.1 Sentence Structures.- 6.2 Neural Nets.- Chapter 7. Lexical Concepts.- 7.1 Constructions.- 7.2 Mental Space.- Chapter 8. Figurative Language.- 8.1. Lexical Dark Matters.- 8.2 Idioms and Metaphors.- PART III. Circuits.-Chapter 9. Generating Sentences.- 9.1 Structural Complexity.- 9.2 The Role of Working Memory.- Chapter 10. Accessing Word Meanings.- 10.1 Lexical Concepts.- 10.2 Figures of Speech.- Chapter 11. Atypical Language.- 11.1 Aphasia.- 11.2 Communicative Disorders.- Chapter 12. Language Acquisition.- 12.1 The Genetic Program.- 12.2 The Multilingual Brain.-Prospects.- Index.

Dieter Hillert, born in Germany, is a cognitive scientist and best known for studying language through cognitive, neurobiological and comparative approaches.  He holds positions as an Adjunct Professor and Research Scientist, and is affiliated with San Diego State University, University of California, San Diego, and University of Utah.  He also works as a science writer on topics related to mind and brain.

Addresses all scholars interested in evolution, biology, neurology, language, cognition and theory of mind

Uses modern neuroimaging technology to map language and related cognitive functions

Illustrates and discusses a genetic blueprint for language

Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras