The Evolution, Acquisition, and Development of Syntax
Bringing together an interdisciplinary team of scholars, this book explores three interconnected aspects of syntax – its origins and evolution, its acquisition by children, and its role in languages’ ongoing development and change. These three distinct areas were linked through Bickerton’s most provocative work The Language Bioprogram Hypothesis (LBH). This book highlights the discussions on syntax that have emerged over the years as a result of the LBH model. Each chapter includes a discussion of Bickerton’s work, and a special focus is placed on Creole languages, which provide unique case studies for the study of the evolution, acquisition, and development of languages. The book also discusses the relevance of LBH for other natural languages, including sign languages. Shedding light on the relevance of syntax in language, it is essential reading for researchers and students in a wide range of linguistic disciplines.
Dany Adone is Professor and Chair of Applied Linguistics at the University of Cologne and Co-director of the Centre for Australian Studies. She has engaged with Indigenous communities in the Indian Ocean, the Pacific, and Australia since the late 1980s.
Astrid Gabel is a lecturer at the Department of English at the University of Cologne. Her main research interests are in the areas of syntax, the Minimalist Program, pidgins and creoles, and language contact.
