Language, Bananas and Bonobos Linguistic Problems, Puzzles and Polemics [Paperback]

Language, Bananas, and Bonobos presents a series of engaging reflections on concerns such as our knowledge and use of language, political correctness, and the linguistic abilities of chimpanzees. In doing so, this volume provides new insights into linguistics that are of universal interest.Preface.

Prelude:.

1. How to be the Center of the Universe.

Part I: Problems:.

2. Tadoma.

3. Putting a Banana in Your Ear.

4. A Fragment of Genius.

5. Colourful Language.

6. The Structure of Noise.

7. Dissociations.

Part II: Puzzles:.

8. Puzzle.

9. PC.

10. Acquired Whining.

11. Godshit.

12. The Golem.

13. $.

Part III: Polemics:.

14. Bonobos.

15. Whales, Sunflowers and the Evolution of Language.

16. Jackdaws, Sex and Language Acquisition.

17. Does Chomsky Exist?.

18. Relentless Jollity, Inexorable Logic and the Nature of Mind.

19. Structural Eccentricities.

20. The Velarity of Linguists.

Glossary.

References.

Index.

These sketches by Neil Smith's deft and expert hands provide a wonderful sampling of many and diverse paths of inquiry inspired by and informing the study of language, the unexpected delights one encounters on the way, the surprising and thought-provoking insights, and the puzzles, paradoxes and mysteries that offer a persistent challenge to understanding of essential elements of human nature. Noam Chomsky, Massachusetts Institute of Technology