The Oscillatory Nature of Language. Cambridge University Press. 2020. [PDF]
“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
“a thoughtful attempt to integrate two alternative approaches to syntax – theoretical linguistics and neurolinguistics – within the broader context of evolution and cognitive neuroscience. … Murphy interestingly considers neural oscillations at the algorithmic level of analysis, pointing to their relevance in the temporal unfolding (when) and order (how) of executed operations, which goes substantially beyond the common algorithmic interpretation of psycholinguistic behavioural evidence.”- Jordi Martorell, University of the Basque Country, review for Journal of Linguistics
Elliot Murphy 