Derek Bickerton | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | March 25, 1926 Cheshire, England |
| Died | March 5, 2018 (aged 91) |
| Alma mater | University of Cambridge (PhD 1976) |
| Known for | work in creole languages |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Linguistics |
| Institutions | University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa University of Leeds University of Guyana University of Cape Coast, Ghana |
Derek Bickerton (March 25, 1926 – March 5, 2018) was an English-born linguist and professor at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Based on his work in creole languages in Guyana and Hawaii, he has proposed that the features of creole languages provide powerful insights into the development of language both by individuals and as a feature of the human species. He is the originator and main proponent of the language bioprogram hypothesis according to which the similarity of creoles is due to their being formed from a prior pidgin by children who all share a universal human innate grammar capacity.[1]
Bickerton also wrote several novels. His novels have been featured in the works of the Sun Ra Revival Post Krautrock Archestra, through spoken word and musical themes.
- ^ Erard, Michael (2008-03-30). "Walking the Talk". The New York Times.