The Oscillatory Nature of Language

Drawing on cutting-edge ideas from the biological and cognitive sciences, this book presents both an innovative neuro-computational model of language comprehension and a state-of-the-art review of current topics in neurolinguistics. It explores a range of newly-emerging topics in the biological study of language, building them into a framework which views language as grounded in endogenous neural oscillatory behaviour. This allows the author to formulate a number of hypotheses concerning the relationship between neurobiology and linguistic computation. Murphy also provides an extensive overview of recent theoretical and experimental work on the neurobiological basis of language, from which the reader will emerge up-to-date on major themes and debates. This lively overview of contemporary issues in theoretical linguistics, combined with a clear theory of how language is processed, is essential reading for scholars and students across a range of disciplines.

Presents a clear and novel neurobiological theory of language.
Offers a comprehensive, state-of-the-art review of the neurobiological basis of language.
Provides a critical assessment and appraisal of major studies in the field.

Reviews & endorsements

A wonderfully clear synthesis connecting neural oscillations and hierarchical structure: one of the first realistic attempts to understand how activities in the brain shape syntax. This engaging book provides real substance to the Minimalist Program in that it exemplifies the notion of `third factor.' Very insightful and a delight to read! Elly Van Gelderen, Professor of Linguistics, Arizona State University

Murphy takes us on an exciting journey through the neurobiology of language towards the neural codes for phrase structure. The result is a tremendously deep yet fully accessible state-of-the-art overview that also presents a novel neurocomputational model of language. Kleanthes Grohmann, Professor of Biolinguistics, University of Cyprus

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