The Development of Language: Functional Perspectives on Species and Individuals

Paperback / softback

Main Details

Title The Development of Language: Functional Perspectives on Species and Individuals
Authors and Contributors      Edited by Geoff Williams
Edited by Annabelle Lukin
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback / softback
Pages:272
Dimensions(mm): Height 234,Width 156
ISBN/Barcode 9780826488787
ClassificationsDewey:401.93
Audience
Undergraduate
Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Professional & Vocational

Publishing Details

Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Imprint Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd.
Publication Date 22 March 2006
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

This book presents a unique range of interdisciplinary work on questions of language development and evolution. It makes visible the significant contribution which meaning-oriented linguistics is making to debates about the origins of language - from the perspective of language evolution in the species as well as language development in the child. As well as linguistics in the systemic functional, or Hallidayan, tradition, the book offers contributions from primatology, psychiatry, sociology and education.

Author Biography

Geoff Williams is Emeritus Professor of Language and Literacy Education at the University of British Columbia, Canada, as well as Honorary Professor of the Faculty of Education and Social Work at the University of Sydney, Australia. Annabelle Lukin is a Research Fellow in the Centre for Language in Social Life, Department of Linguistics, Macquarie University, Australia.

Reviews

This book's major themes are highly integrated across the various contributions, reflecting faithfully the rich complexity of such a holistic model of language as SFL. The methods of study (naturalistic and contextualized), the major concepts - system and semiosis, function as metafunction, dimensionalism, and the role of context in relation to meaning and the individual - and the applications of these notions to domains like education, primate studies and psychology, are all woven together into a satisfying and challenging whole. The book is stimulating without being over reliant on arcane terminology, and it also keeps open the possibilities for further development and modification of this approach to language.' ~ W. N. Winser, Research Fellow, University of Adelaide, Australia -- W.N. Winser