Of the many aspects distinguishing humans from other animals, language is probably the most fundamental; not only does it enable communication of ideas, opinions and emotions, it also provides us with many of the sophisticated cognitive faculties we associate with our superiority as a species. In examining the origins of language rather than attempting to determine how it functions, a more fundamental question arises of why language evolved. To investigate this question we must endeavour to find the original beneficial function of language that caused it to be naturally selected and further adapted. Conventionally, language was thought to have evolved as a faculty for exchanging information about the environment, such as planning hunts or giving instruction on how to fashion tools. This theory has since been refuted, largely by drawing on the lack of correlation between early human brain size (upon which language is contingent) and tool complexity (Wynn, 1988). Over the last decade, an alternate explanation for the advent of language has been proposed: its social function. Nonetheless, there remains much discussion as to precisely which of the many social functions was responsible for the evolution of language. I will here discuss: Dunbar’s (1993, 1996a) ‘linguistic grooming’ and ‘social gossip’ theory; Deacon’s (1997) ‘social contract’ theory; a criticism of the social function hypothesis regarding its presupposition of advanced cognition; and finally, an alternative approach based on Gould’s (1996) theory of non-adaptive spandrels.
Dunbar (1993, 1996a, 2002) maintains that language evolved as a more efficient binding mechanism for growing social groups. In justification of his theory, Dunbar (1993) demonstrates a close correl...
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Gil-da-Costa, R., Martin, A., Lopes, M. A., Muñoz, M., Fritz, J. B., & Braun, A. R. (2006). Species-specific calls activate homologs of Broca's and Wernicke's areas in the macaque. Nature Neuroscience, 9, 1064 - 1070.
Gould, S. J. (1997a). Evolution: The Pleasures of Pluralism. The New York Review of Books, 47-52.
Gould, S. J. (1997b). The exaptive excellence of spandrels as a term and prototype. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, 94, 10750-10755.
Gould, S. J. (2002). The Structure of Evolutionary Theory. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
Premack, D. (1988). Minds with and without Language. In L. Weiskrantz (Ed.), Thought without Language (pp. 46-66). Oxford: OUP.
Wynn, T. (1988). Tooks and the evolution of human intelligence. In R. Byrne, & A. Whiten (Eds.), Machiavellian Intelligence (pp. 271-84). Oxford: OUP.
Michael Ruse, The Darwinian Revolution, pub. 1979 by The University of Chicago Press, Chicago 60637
Bowler, Peter J. Evolution: The History of an Idea. London: University of California Press, 1989.
Since, until we have proof to the contrary, human intelligence is more developed than animal, it would seem easier for us to learn animal language than for animals to learn our speech. Moreover, once a human scientist has decoded an animal language, he is able to understand all the members of his own species, present and future” (Borgese 4). Another point that has influenced some linguists to believe that animal language is not a language is the fact that animal language is not as complex as human language, however, one linguist gives evidence to support that animal language is complex, “Complex forms of communication are found among socialized, communal insects, such as ants, bees, wasps, and termites, and among social animals, such as antelopes, wild horses, wolves and beavers” (Brown 18). The way that Vinson Brown views the complexity of animal language is that all animals in a socialized setting are capable and have a complex system of language ability already in place. The way that other linguists view the complexity or lack thereof with animal language is because of the fact that the animals are unable to form thoughts and feelings to convey to others; their movements are meant for the basic emotions as discussed with the
Zhao, Buyun. "Charles Darwin & Evolution." Charles Darwin & Evolution. Christ's College, 2009. Web. 04 May 2014.
B.M.de Waal, Tree of Origin: What Primate Behavior Can Tell Us about Human Social Evolution. Havard University Press: Massachusets, 2001.
Suzanne K. Langer, the author of “Language and Thought” states that “the birth of language is the dawn of humanity” (120). The “dawn of humanity” refers to the beginning of time, the beginning of life, the beginning of society, and we, as people need language to survive every day in civilization. Humans haven’t always had the glory of language. Millions of years ago, science has proven that we have evolved from chimpanzees because of our fairly similar DNA. We have similar facial structure, body language, and protective instincts; although language is what defines us as human and what allows us to become individuals. However, the challenges we would face to grow a relationship in our modern society would become increasingly difficult because
Language is commonly held to be the province of humans, but other inhabitants of earth possess their own forms of communication. Birds, dolphins, and whales are some of those that have a language. Primates also use vocal communication with each other. Their utterances have varied uses and volumes, with each primate’s voice being distinct just as human voices are. These unique calls have given researchers insight into the social workings of primate groups. The very fact that primates have a language offers insight into the evolution of language and calls into question what the term human truly means.
Lennox, James. "Darwinism." Stanford University. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fall 2010 Edition). , 13 Aug. 2004. Web. 12 May 2014.
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The prehistoric times stand evidence to the power of language as a tool for communication and growth. Language has proven to be an effective medium and factor surrounding the evolution of man. Language has played a big role in the development of individuals and societies. What is spoken and/or written, help in the initiation of imagination, expression of feelings, and conveyance of thoughts and ideas.
Sternberg, R. J. (1985). Beyond IQ: A triarchic theory of intelligence. New York: Cambridge University Press.
The purpose of this paper to examine the evolution of the human brain that distinguishes them from other species based on the traits that humans possess: such as language, emotional complexity and consciousness. The significance of traits are due to adaptations in humans to promote the survival of our ancestors. Professor Hamilton (2012) discusses that the evolution of the human brain starts with the idea of the Triune brain, proposed by MacLean, whereby the human brain is made up of three parts: Reptilian, Paleo-mammalian, and Neo-mammalian. Animals with the neo-mammalian brain have a more complex brain compared to the other parts, since this is where the neocortex evolved. Humans essentially have this higher brain function which is responsible for our ability to think, make decisions, promote agency, and the ability to relate with each other. This concept fits into the evolutionary process since it shows how the complex the brain has become through evolutionary processes. In essence, as humans, we “have a rich, evidence-based understanding of our behavior that can lead us to plan to be ‘better’ or ‘more successful’ people” according to Professor Hamilton (2012). Thus, shows how evolution plays a significance in understanding human behavior and comparing humans with other species.
Gould, Stephen Jay. "Evolution as Fact and Theory." The Norton Mix. Editor Katie Hannah. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2010. 110-119.
Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher mental process. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.