What Daniel Everett has said about Universal grammar

Everett argues that the existence of a brain language network does not show that language is innate.

“But I do know that the fact that there's a language network doesn't mean that language itself is innate”

Danny Jones Podcast: #439 - Bible Expert Rejects Religion After Decoding Ancient Amazon Language | Daniel Everett (Oct 12, 2026) · Listen from 43:37

Everett says his new book argues that the human ability to infer replaces the need for a universal grammar.

“So, the ability to infer in my new book, this replaces the need for a universal grammar”

Danny Jones Podcast: #439 - Bible Expert Rejects Religion After Decoding Ancient Amazon Language | Daniel Everett (Oct 12, 2026) · Listen from 45:22

Everett recounts that Chomsky called him a liar and charlatan after Everett said Pirahã contradicted one of his claims.

“But then when I said, this language shows that you're wrong about this particular claim, Then I became persona non grata and I was a liar and a”

Danny Jones Podcast: #439 - Bible Expert Rejects Religion After Decoding Ancient Amazon Language | Daniel Everett (Oct 12, 2026) · Listen from 2:15:48