This book is a powerful demonstration of the value of looking at language as an adaptive system, which reaches the heart of debates in linguistics and cognitive science on the evolution and nature of language. Simon Kirby combines functional and formal theories in order to develop a way of treating language as an adaptive system in which its communicative and formal roles have crucial and complimentary roles.

The leading scholars in the rapidly growing field of language evolution give readable accounts of their theories on the origins of language and reflect on the most important current issues and debates. As well as providing a guide to their own published research in this area they highlight what they see as the most relevant research of others. The authors come from a wide range of disciplines involved in language evolution including linguistics, cognitive science, computational science, primatology, and archaeology.

Fast track route to successfully taking new ideas to market

Covers the key areas of innovation, from generating new concepts and selecting the best opportunities to managing a new product launch and ensuring effective delivery

Examples and lessons from some of the world's most successful businesses, including ABB, eBay, 3M and Zara, and ideas from the smartest thinkers, including Edward de Bono, John Kao, Robert Cooper, Gary Hamel and Clayton Christiansen

Includes a comprehensive resources guide