A cross-section of language research at mid-century from the viewpoint of the psychologist, biologist, and anthropologist is offered in this book bearing on problems of (1) maturation, (2) social anthropology, (3) human biology, (4) experimental psychology, and (5) primary acquisition of speech and language. Five papers delivered at a symposium on "Language and the Science of Man" are presented along with two others delivered at other symposia of the 17th International Congress of Psychology. Carmichael discusses early growth of language capacity in the individual. Some anthropological aspects of language, specifically animal categories and verbal abuse, are described by Leach. Lenneberg presents a biological perspective of language. Language and psychology are discussed by Miller. Goldman-Eisler edited her formal discussions with Carmichael, Lenneberg, and Miller of three papers, and she includes an expanded version of her own presentation on an experimental approach to psycholinguistic problems. Three processes in the child's acquisition of syntax are described by Brown and Bellugi. The last paper by Ervin treats imitation and structural change in children's language. (RL)