The Evolution, Acquisition and Development of Syntax

Bringing together an interdisciplinary team of scholars, this book highlights current debates on syntax, with a focus on Creole languages.

Bringing together scholars from the fields of language evolution, language acquisition and development of young languages, this book explores current debates on syntax, focusing particularly on Creole languages. Shedding light on the relevance of syntax, it is essential reading for researchers and students in a wide range of linguistic disciplines.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 '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 include 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.