The Biology and Origins of Language Part 2. Tonal Language Example Mandarin Tone Use Word Intonation...

The Biology and Origins of Language

Part 2

Tonal Language Example

Mandarin Tone Use Word Intonation Meaning ba [/] to uproot ba [--] eight ba [\/] to hold ba [\] a harrow

Genes and Language

The newer version of ASPM is traced back to 5800 years ago.

The newer version of Microcephalin is traced back to 37,000 years ago.

(Dan Dediu and Robert Ladd of the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, May 2007)

When did language first appear in

humans??????????

Fossil Evidence for Language 1

Indicator Endocasts

Fossil Australopithecus africanus/Taung Baby

Age 3 MYA

Feature(language present)

Lunate sulcus farther back than in apes as in modern human brains

Proponent Ralph Hollowell

Oponent Dean Faulk

Australopithicines

Australopithecines lived between 5 and 2 million years ago.

(Artists rendition based on skeletal and muscular reconstruction.)

Location of the Lunate Sulcus

Front of

the brain

Back of the brain

Fossil Evidence for Language 2

Indicator Endocasts

Fossil Homo habilis/ER 1470

Age 2 MYA

Feature(language present)

Broca's Area sulci may be present

Proponents

Hollowell and Faulk

Fossil Evidence for Language 3

Indicator Total brain size

Fossil Homo habilis cranial capacity jumps from 400cc in Australopithecines to 600cc

Age 2 MYA

Feature(language present)

Large increase in neurological connections

Proponents Deacon says jump in cranial capacity shows language

Opponents Say specialized language organs more important than total size

Australopithecus vs. Homo habilis

Australopithecus 400 cc

Homo habilis 600 cc

Fossil Evidence for Language 4

Indicator Thoracic vertebral canalFossil Homo sapiens

(H. erectus/WT 15000 does not have enlargement)

Age 100,000 years agoFeature

(language present)

Enlarged for increased nerve bundles to control breathing adapted to speech

Proponents Ann McLarnon

Opponents

Homo erectusHomo erectus lived between 1.5 and .5 million years ago. They hunted large game and gathered plant foods.

(Artists rendition based on skeletal and muscular reconstruction.)

Fossil Evidence for Language 5

Indicator Reconstructed vocal tracts including tongues

Fossil Homo neanderthalensis

Age 100,000 years ago

Feature (no language)

Reconstruction of modern tongue size scaled to fit Neanderthal throat reaches down into the chest cavity

Proponents

Philip Lieberman

Opponents

Homo neanderthalensisNeanderthals lived between 200,000 and 28,000 years ago in what is now Europe and the Middle East. There is evidence that they may have buried their dead, and that they may have had other religious rituals.

(Artists rendition based on skeletal and muscular reconstruction.)

Neanderthal Throat/Tongue Ratios

Fossil Evidence for Language 6

Indicator Basicranium shapeFossil Homo sapiens sapiensAge 100,000 years agoFeature

(language present)

Basicranial angle more pronounced in H. sapiens than other hominids indicating language

Proponents Jeffrey LaitmanOpponents

Basocranial Shape in Chimps and Hominids

Why Language?

Why Language?

Why Language?

Powerpoint Study GuideBrain to Body RatioCortical BrainNon-Cortical BrainBrain LateralizationBroca’s AreaWernicke’s AreaGeschwind’s TerritoryArcuate FasiculusAphasiaFOXP2 GeneASPM GeneMicrocephalin GeneTonal Languages

EndocastLunate sulcusBasocranial shapeAustralopithecusHomo habilisHomo erectusNeandertalHomo sapiensSocial bondingGroomingVocal groomingBody Sizer SelectionK selection