Joanna raises in interesting but complex question. An alternative to Pincker's book is Pathways of the Brain: The Neurocognitive Basis of Language by the stratificational linguist, Sydney Lamb (Benjamins, 1999). His physiology is based on the view of the brain of the Nobel neuroscientist Gerald Edelman. He credits some of his linguistic ideas to Michael Hallliday, and others are his own. His grammatical explanations are admittedly speculative but sometimes very specific. Lamb and Edelman consider the computer model insufficient because it cannot account for human characteristics like individual experiences and emotions that affect language. They explain how biology is responsible and adequate because of the immense number of neurons in the brain. I found these books difficult reading but struggled with them because I had agreed to review Lamb's book for the International Systemic Functional Congress in July. Afterwards, I was asked to polish my review for publication in the journal Functions of Language. If anyone would like to see it, please ask. Snail mail would probably be best because of the diagrams. Carolyn Hartnett [log in to unmask] Phone and fax: 409-948-1446 2027 Bay Street Texas City, Texas 77590