The signs of a savant : language against the odds / Neil Smith ... [and others].

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Smith, N. V. (Neilson Voyne)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Savants (Savant syndrome).

Language acquisition.

Physical Description:

xiv, 219 pages : illustrations (some color) ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2011.

Summary:

"Every once in a while nature gives us insight into the human condition by providing us with a unique case whose special properties illuminate the species as a whole. Christopher is such an example. Despite disabilities which mean that everyday tasks are burdensome chores, Christopher is a linguistic wonder who can read, write, speak, understand and translate more than twenty languages. On some tests he shows a severely low IQ, hinting at ineducability, yet his English language ability indicates an IQ in excess of 120 (a level more than sufficient to enter university). Christopher is a savant, someone with an island of startling talent in a sea of inability. This book documents his learning of British Sign Language, casting light on the modularity of cognition, the modality neutrality of the language faculty, the structure of memory, the grammar of signed language and the nature of the human mind"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Machine generated contents note: 1. Introducing Christopher; 2. BSL: an overview; 3. The programme; 4. The results; 5. Christopher in the wider context; 6. Modality and the mind.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780521852272

0521852277

9780521617697

0521617693

OCLC:

651917348

Online:

Contributor biographical information

Publisher description

Cover image