Evans argues against Noam Chomsky's claim that all human languages provide evidence for an underlying Universal Grammar.

Evans posits, instead, a language-as-use thesis[1][2] to account for the nature of language, how it is learned and how it evolves.

The Language Myth caused considerable controversy upon publication among supporters of Chomskyan universal grammar.

[3] Another vocal critic, Norbert Hornstein attacked the book for presenting caricatures of Chomskyan generative grammar and of providing inadequate arguments to support its main claims.

[6] He argues that his critics do not provide a coherent argument that is falsifiable as they posit Universal Grammar as a theoretical axiom,[7] which does not require proof or evidence to support it.