Signs of a Savant - Language Against the Odds

Informationen zum Autor Neil Smith is Professor Emeritus of Linguistics at University College London. Ianthi Tsimpli is Professor of Psycholinguistics at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Gary Morgan is Professor of Psychology at City University, London. Bencie Woll is Director of the Centre for Deafness Cognition and Language at University College London. Klappentext Every once in a while nature gives us insight into the human condition by providing us with a unique case whose special properties illuminate the species as a whole. Christopher is such an example. Despite disabilities which mean that everyday tasks are burdensome chores, Christopher is a linguistic wonder who can read, write, speak, understand and translate more than twenty languages. On some tests he shows a severely low IQ, hinting at ineducability, yet his English language ability indicates an IQ in excess of 120 (a level more than sufficient to enter university). Christopher is a savant, someone with an island of startling talent in a sea of inability. This book documents his learning of British Sign Language, casting light on the modularity of cognition, the modality neutrality of the language faculty, the structure of memory, the grammar of signed language and the nature of the human mind. Zusammenfassung A fascinating and insightful study of the learning of British Sign Language by Christopher! a savant! who despite severe disabilities! can read! write and speak more than twenty languages. It casts new light on the structure of memory! the grammar of signed language and the nature of the human mind. Inhaltsverzeichnis 1. Introducing Christopher; 2. BSL: an overview; 3. The programme; 4. The results; 5. Christopher in the wider context; 6. Modality and the mind.

Product details

• Authors: Gary Morgan, Gary (City University London) Morgan, Gary Smith Morgan, Morgan Gary, MORGAN GARY SMITH NEIL TSIMPLI, Neil Smith, Neil (University College London) Smith, Neil (University College London) Tsimpli Smith, Neil Tsimpli Smith, Ianthi Tsimpli, Ianthi (Aristotle University Tsimpli, Ianthi-Maria Tsimpli, Bencie Woll, Bencie (University College London) Woll, Woll Bencie
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 02.12.2010
• EAN: 9780521852272
• ISBN: 978-0-521-85227-2
• No. of pages: 232
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > Other languages / Other literatures; Linguistics, LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Sign Language, Physiological & neuro-psychology, biopsychology, Psycholinguistics, Sign languages, Braille & other linguistic communication