Preface xiii // 1. An Instinct to Acquire an Art 1 // 2. Chatterboxes 12 // 3. Mentalese 44 // 4. How Language Works 74 // 5. Words, Words, Words 119 // 6. The Sounds of Silence 153 // 7. Talking Heads 190 // 8. The Tower of Babel 231 // 9. Baby Born Talking—Describes Heaven 265 // 10. Language Organs and Grammar Genes 302 // 11. The Big Bang 340 // 12. The Language Mavens 382 // 13. Mind Design 419 // Notes 449 // References 469 // Glossary 503 // Index 517