The Mind of a Savant: Language, Learning and Modularity

Type

Book

Authors

Neil Smith

Ianthi-Maria Tsimpli

ISBN 10

0631190171

ISBN 13

9780631190172

Tags

Neuropsychology, Foreign Language Study & Reference, Communication, Linguistics, Speech, Study & Teaching, Mental Illness, Pathologies, Communication & Media Studies, Psychopathology, Communications

Description

Savants are people who are mentally and often physically impaired but who have one dazzling talent. Cases of savants, like Christopher who is described here, are not unheard of, but have never been reported before. Despite being unable to look after himself because he has difficulty with everyday tasks, Christopher can read, write, translate and communicate in fifteen to twenty different languages. In this original, detailed and wide-ranging study, Neil Smith and Ianthi-Maria Tsimpli not only provide insight into the mind of one unique individual, but simultaneously cast light on the nature of language and thought in general. By exploiting recent developments in both linguistics and psychology the authors have made an essential contribution to the whole field of cognitive science. - from Amzon

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