Aitchison, Jean,  1938- <br/><br/>
The seeds of speech :  language origin and evolution / 
Jean Aitchison. 
 - Cambridge [England] ;  New York, NY, USA :  Cambridge University Press,  1996. 
 - xii, 281 p. :  ill., map ;  21 cm. 
 - Cambridge approaches to linguistics .
<br/><br/>Includes bibliographical references (p. 245-267) and index. 
<br/><br/>Part I. 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 II. 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 III. 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 IV. 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. 
<br/><br/><label>ISBN: </label>0521462460 0521467934 (pbk.) 
<br/><br/><label>LCCN: </label>95047738  
<br/><br/><label>Subjects--Topical Terms: </label><br/>Language and languages--Origin.<br/>Language acquisition.<br/>Linguistic change.
<br/><br/><label>LC Class. No.: </label>P116  / .A38 1996 
<br/><br/><label>Dewey Class. No.: </label>401 AIT