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This classic study is still the only comprehensive theory of child
language acquisition—one that begins with the infant, proceeds
step by step according to explicit learning algorithms, mirrors
children's development, and ends up with adult grammatical
competence. Now reprinted with new commentary by the author
that updates of every section, Language Learnability and Language
Development continues to be an indispensible resource in
developmental psycholinguistics.
"Altogether, this book is truly rare. It makes one think about
how work should be done in the field, points out many present
difficulties insightfully, and is full of interesting proposals and
analyses... a fascinating and distinguished original work."
—Michael Maratsos, American Scientist
"A major contribution that is sure to remain an important source
for many years to come... Language acquisition theory has come
of age with this work."
—Martin Braine, Journal of Child Language
"The most explicit and detailed account of the interaction between
the principles of learnability and data from langauge acquisition
research... Pinker's carefully reasoned book promises to be an
influential work, which sets high standards for its potential critics."
—Paul Fletcher, The Times Higher Education Supplement
"The book is replete with insightful discussion on a vast array of
topics. It will no doubt serve as a standard text in language
acquisition for years to come, and fortunately... sets a high standard."
—Stephen Crain, Contemporary Psychology
"Pinker has painstakingly and thoughtfully worked through an
enormous number of tangles, contradictions, gaps, and ambiguities
that plague any systematic study of children's language and has
come through with a coherent description that is theoretically
motivated and empirically grounded.The conclusion is well
written, intellectually aggressive, yet comfortably humble."
—Ellen Bialystok, Modern Language Journal
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