Language and the Mind

By: Spencer D. Kelly, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Spencer D. Kelly

What is our species' greatest invention? Medicine, computers, space travel? Not even close. The innovation that underlies each of our past achievements and those we still aspire to is language. Language is the ultimate invention of Homo sapiens - one that has allowed us to change the physical and social world around us in every conceivable way, and an invention that has fundamentally changed us, as well. Research has shown that whether we're sighted or blind, hearing or deaf, one or one hundred years old, communication through language is a fundamental part of what it means to be human.

In 24 fascinating lectures, Dr. Spencer Kelly, Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Colgate University, takes us on a fascinating journey into so many aspects of life we take for granted every day: our ability to remember the past and imagine a future, our use of hand gestures and facial expressions in communication, our capacity for storytelling, and so much more. You will explore fascinating questions, such as the origin of the human mind, what makes our communication so much different than other animals, whether or not language itself influences thought, and how babies learn their native language without direct teaching. You will follow along, finding yourself intrigued, surprised, and enthralled by it all because...you possess the power of language.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

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brilliant insights into the mind

very well done and well researched with many references to modern research showing many perspectives on controversial issues.

The Mind is the Final Frontier

This Course takes the listener through the startling findings on the human mind and how language interacts with it. There is not a single preconceived notion that will go unchallenged as you work your way through this material. Language is barely understood, the mind even less so.

Another Enjoyable Great Course

I was a poet’s physics kind of a student at college so this course suited me well. At times the science got a bit beyond me but for the most part Professor Kelly does a very good job of delivering his lectures in a way that keeps it accessible and interesting. I am teaching ESL as a retirement vocation and found the material pertinent and informative. If, like me, you are a fan of the Great Courses and you find language fascinating, I recommend to you Language and the Mind.

Outstanding lecture

Brilliant teacher on a complex but critical subject in a world moving to natural language with AI

Dissection

It was interesting, yet I struggled with the focus needed for me to make it enjoyable.