On the origin of language / translated, with afterwords, by John H. Moran and Alexander Gode ; introduction by Alexander Gode.

Chicago : University of Chicago Press, 1986, ©1966.

x, 176 pages ; 21 cm

Reprint. Originally published: New York : F. Ungar, 1966.

This volume combines Rousseau's essay on the origin of diverse languages with Herder's essay on the genesis of the faculty of speech. Rousseau's essay is important to semiotics and critical theory, as it plays a central role in Jacques Derrida's book Of Grammatology, and both essays are valuable historical and philosophical documents.

Online version: On the origin of language. Chicago : University of Chicago Press, 1986, ©1966

English

January 31, 2020

Includes bibliographical references.