RSA Animate: "Would You Like To See My Etchings?"

Here is an RSA Animate of Steven Pinker "Language as a Window Into Human Nature."  He analyzes the nuances of language but cuts through culture and looks at what aspects of being human affect it.

Like Michael Agar in Language Shock Steven Pinker wants to understand why we pick up on indirect meanings from certain statements.  Rather than focusing on instances of confusion, however, Pinker focuses on instances of successful communication.  While Agar seems to want to discuss the inadequacy of pure language for communication Pinker wants to understand why our communication is the way it is.