Contents

List of Figures

Preface

Introduction

Part One: The First Hominins

1. Rise of the Hominins

2. The Fossil Hunters

3. The Hominins Depart

4. Everyone Speaks Languages of Signs

Part Two: Human Biological Adaptations for Language

5. Humans Get a Better Brain

6. How the Brain Makes Language Possible

7. When the Brain Goes Wrong

8. Talking with Tongues

Part Three: The Evolution of Language Form

9. Where Grammar Came From

10. Talking with the Hands

11. Just Good Enough

Part Four: Cultural Evolution of Language

12. Communities and Communication

Conclusion

Suggested Reading

Notes

Acknowledgements

Index