Description
Book Synopsis: Two distinguished linguists on language, the history of science, misplaced euphoria, surprising facts, and potentially permanent mysteries.
In The Secrets of Words, influential linguist Noam Chomsky and his longtime colleague Andrea Moro have a wide-ranging conversation, touching on such topics as language and linguistics, the history of science, and the relation between language and the brain. Moro draws Chomsky out on today's misplaced euphoria about artificial intelligence (Chomsky sees “lots of hype and propaganda” coming from Silicon Valley), the study of the brain (Chomsky points out that findings from brain studies in the 1950s never made it into that era's psychology), and language acquisition by children. Chomsky in turn invites Moro to describe his own experiments, which proved that there exist impossible languages for the brain, languages that show surprising properties and reveal unexpected secrets of the human mind. Chomsky once said, “It is important to learn to be surprised by simple facts”—“an expression of yours that has represented a fundamental turning point in my own personal life,” says Moro—and this is something of a theme in their conversation. Another theme is that not everything can be known; there may be permanent mysteries, about language and other matters. Not all words will give up their secrets.
Details
Discover the fascinating world of language and linguistics with The Secrets of Words, a captivating book by influential linguist Noam Chomsky and his colleague Andrea Moro. Uncover the history of science and delve into the intriguing relationship between language and the human brain.
In a conversation filled with thought-provoking insights, Chomsky and Moro challenge the misplaced euphoria surrounding artificial intelligence, cautioning against the hype and propaganda rampant in Silicon Valley. They shed light on the limitations of current brain studies, revealing how valuable findings from the past were overlooked.
Prepare to be amazed as they discuss their unique experiments, showcasing the existence of impossible languages that defy conventional wisdom. These languages unlock surprising properties and expose the hidden secrets of the human mind. Chomsky's mantra of being surprised by simple facts has inspired Moro and revolutionized his approach to life.
However, amidst the awe-inspiring discoveries, Chomsky and Moro acknowledge that not everything can be known. There are mysteries, everlasting enigmas that continue to elude our understanding. The power of language is vast, but not all words are willing to surrender their secrets.
Embark on a journey of intellectual exploration with The Secrets of Words and equip yourself with profound knowledge of language, science, and the complexities of the human mind. Uncover the mysteries that endure and unlock the secrets that lie within the words we use every day. Start unraveling the enigma today with The Secrets of Words!
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