Gestural Origin of Language

"The gestural theory of language origins was once considered mere speculation by philosophers. In the hands of Armstrong and Wilcox, however, this theory gains greater force and clarity. After reading their articulate and accessible book, I find the conclusion inescapable: language could not have begun otherwise." --H-Dirksen L. Bauman, Professor, Department of American Sign Language and Deaf Studies, Gallaudet University
"Syntax is still the Holy Grail of language-origins research, and it's exciting to read a detailed and plausible explanation of its evolution as grounded in social processes of action, perception, and change over time-- and most definitely not in innatism! This book, in sum, is a beautifully realized synthesis of theory and data; it will advance our understanding of language origins, and of the intricacy and rightness of the view that ALL language is ultimately gestural." --Barbara J. King, Class of 2007 Professor of Anthropology, College of William and Mary