Gardenfors, P. (2003). The dawn of Gardenfors, P. (2003). The dawn of language. In How homo became salanguage. In How homo became sapiens: on the evolution of thinking piens: on the evolution of thinking (pp. 141–165). New York: Oxford U(pp. 141–165). New York: Oxford University Press.niversity Press.

The Evolution of The Evolution of LanguageLanguage

Summary of Gardenfors, P. (2003). The Summary of Gardenfors, P. (2003). The dawn of language. In dawn of language. In How homo became How homo became sapiens: on the evolution of thinking sapiens: on the evolution of thinking (pp. (pp.

141–165). New York: Oxford University Press. 141–165). New York: Oxford University Press. Summary by Cleo Arnold, Megan Dorrian, Summary by Cleo Arnold, Megan Dorrian,

and Stefanie Galich and Stefanie Galich For Dr. Mills’ Psych 452 class, Fall, 2007For Dr. Mills’ Psych 452 class, Fall, 2007

Gardenfors, P. (2003). The dawn of Gardenfors, P. (2003). The dawn of language. In How homo became salanguage. In How homo became sapiens: on the evolution of thinking piens: on the evolution of thinking (pp. 141–165). New York: Oxford U(pp. 141–165). New York: Oxford University Press.niversity Press.

The Birth of LanguageThe Birth of Language

http://http://www.pbs.org/wgbhwww.pbs.org/wgbh /evolution/library/07/2/l_072 _04.htm /evolution/library/07/2/l_072 _04.htmll

Gardenfors, P. (2003). The dawn of Gardenfors, P. (2003). The dawn of language. In How homo became salanguage. In How homo became sapiens: on the evolution of thinking piens: on the evolution of thinking (pp. 141–165). New York: Oxford U(pp. 141–165). New York: Oxford University Press.niversity Press.

The Dawn of LanguageThe Dawn of Language

It has been estimated that the evolutionary It has been estimated that the evolutionary branch of apes that developed into modern branch of apes that developed into modern Homo sapiensHomo sapiens separated from the branch separated from the branch that developed into chimpanzees about six that developed into chimpanzees about six million years ago. million years ago.

Spoken language is thought to have Spoken language is thought to have developed only 200,000 to 300,000 years developed only 200,000 to 300,000 years ago. ago.

Prior to language, hominids were most Prior to language, hominids were most likely using gestures to communicate.likely using gestures to communicate.

Gardenfors, P. (2003). The dawn of Gardenfors, P. (2003). The dawn of language. In How homo became salanguage. In How homo became sapiens: on the evolution of thinking piens: on the evolution of thinking (pp. 141–165). New York: Oxford U(pp. 141–165). New York: Oxford University Press.niversity Press.

Signals, Icons and SymbolsSignals, Icons and Symbols A signal is about the surrounding world, it stands A signal is about the surrounding world, it stands

for a perception or a sensationfor a perception or a sensation An icon is a sign that resembles the detached An icon is a sign that resembles the detached

representation denoted by the signrepresentation denoted by the sign A symbol is an arbitrary convention that a person A symbol is an arbitrary convention that a person

must learn to use as a communicative tool. It can must learn to use as a communicative tool. It can only be interpreted through agreeing on a only be interpreted through agreeing on a convention and then learning it. Some basic form convention and then learning it. Some basic form of communication has to be used to understand of communication has to be used to understand symbols.symbols.

Essentially, symbols refer to the inner world, the Essentially, symbols refer to the inner world, the meanings of words must be located in the head meanings of words must be located in the head and not out in the world. and not out in the world.

Gardenfors, P. (2003). The dawn of Gardenfors, P. (2003). The dawn of language. In How homo became salanguage. In How homo became sapiens: on the evolution of thinking piens: on the evolution of thinking (pp. 141–165). New York: Oxford U(pp. 141–165). New York: Oxford University Press.niversity Press.

Signals, Icons and SymbolsSignals, Icons and Symbols

SignalIcon

Symbol

Gardenfors, P. (2003). The dawn of Gardenfors, P. (2003). The dawn of language. In How homo became salanguage. In How homo became sapiens: on the evolution of thinking piens: on the evolution of thinking (pp. 141–165). New York: Oxford U(pp. 141–165). New York: Oxford University Press.niversity Press.

Linguistic Communication and Linguistic Communication and Higher-Order IntentionsHigher-Order Intentions

Paul Grice’s theory of linguistic meaning Paul Grice’s theory of linguistic meaning ““UU meant something by uttering x’ is true meant something by uttering x’ is true

if and only if, for some audience if and only if, for some audience AA, , UU uttered x intending: uttered x intending: – 1. 1. AA to produce a particular response. to produce a particular response. – 2. 2. AA to think (recognize) that to think (recognize) that U U intends (1).intends (1).– 3. 3. AA to fulfill (1) on the basis of his fulfillment of to fulfill (1) on the basis of his fulfillment of

(2).(2). Condition 3 means that the listener Condition 3 means that the listener

behaves as the speaker intends because behaves as the speaker intends because the listener understands that the speaker the listener understands that the speaker intends it (Gardenfors, 2003, pp. 147).” intends it (Gardenfors, 2003, pp. 147).”

Gardenfors, P. (2003). The dawn of Gardenfors, P. (2003). The dawn of language. In How homo became salanguage. In How homo became sapiens: on the evolution of thinking piens: on the evolution of thinking (pp. 141–165). New York: Oxford U(pp. 141–165). New York: Oxford University Press.niversity Press.

Animals’ Linguistic CapacityAnimals’ Linguistic Capacity Among mammals only humans can control their voicesAmong mammals only humans can control their voices Human speech is generated in Broca’s area in the Human speech is generated in Broca’s area in the

brain, located in the left frontal part of the human brain, located in the left frontal part of the human cortex. cortex.

The voice of apes and other animals are controlled by The voice of apes and other animals are controlled by structures in the brain located below the cortex that structures in the brain located below the cortex that are evolutionarily much olderare evolutionarily much older

There are involuntary voice reactions among humans There are involuntary voice reactions among humans as wellas well– cries of pain, fear, surprise, and laughter. cries of pain, fear, surprise, and laughter.

Animals Animals cancan learn learn whenwhen different vocalizations are different vocalizations are appropriate.appropriate.– Rhesus macaquesRhesus macaques

Gardenfors, P. (2003). The dawn of Gardenfors, P. (2003). The dawn of language. In How homo became salanguage. In How homo became sapiens: on the evolution of thinking piens: on the evolution of thinking (pp. 141–165). New York: Oxford U(pp. 141–165). New York: Oxford University Press.niversity Press.

Language Research with Language Research with ApesApes

Animals do not use spoken language because Animals do not use spoken language because they do not ‘need’ to talk, they live in the they do not ‘need’ to talk, they live in the presentpresent

Apes cannot speak because they cannot Apes cannot speak because they cannot control their speech organs sufficiently well control their speech organs sufficiently well and they cannot produce enough variation in and they cannot produce enough variation in the soundsthe sounds

Researchers teach apes to use sign languageResearchers teach apes to use sign language– Sign language worked to a certain pointSign language worked to a certain point– At best the apes mastered a couple of hundred At best the apes mastered a couple of hundred

signs and reach the linguistic communication level signs and reach the linguistic communication level of about a two-year-old human child of about a two-year-old human child

Gardenfors, P. (2003). The dawn of Gardenfors, P. (2003). The dawn of language. In How homo became salanguage. In How homo became sapiens: on the evolution of thinking piens: on the evolution of thinking (pp. 141–165). New York: Oxford U(pp. 141–165). New York: Oxford University Press.niversity Press.

KanziKanzi Learned language by Learned language by

participating, not by participating, not by behaviorist methodsbehaviorist methods

Learned at a young age, Learned at a young age, similar to human childrensimilar to human children

Difficulty with ambiguous Difficulty with ambiguous and functional words and functional words

Author’s doubts and Author’s doubts and criticism of studycriticism of study

Gardenfors, P. (2003). The dawn of Gardenfors, P. (2003). The dawn of language. In How homo became salanguage. In How homo became sapiens: on the evolution of thinking piens: on the evolution of thinking (pp. 141–165). New York: Oxford U(pp. 141–165). New York: Oxford University Press.niversity Press.

How Children Learn How Children Learn LanguageLanguage

Children can understand the meaning of words Children can understand the meaning of words and connect different symbolsand connect different symbols

Children do not need training or repetition to Children do not need training or repetition to learn words and languagelearn words and language

Children learn words just by listeningChildren learn words just by listening Humans are able to interpret the Humans are able to interpret the intentionsintentions

behinds a linguistic utterance and apes are not behinds a linguistic utterance and apes are not The author believes humans have language The author believes humans have language

because we have a more developed inner world; because we have a more developed inner world; animals only interpret words or signs as symbols, animals only interpret words or signs as symbols, they do not have the capacity for the human they do not have the capacity for the human inner worldinner world

Gardenfors, P. (2003). The dawn of Gardenfors, P. (2003). The dawn of language. In How homo became salanguage. In How homo became sapiens: on the evolution of thinking piens: on the evolution of thinking (pp. 141–165). New York: Oxford U(pp. 141–165). New York: Oxford University Press.niversity Press.

Miming as Intentional Miming as Intentional CommunicationCommunication

Homo sapiensHomo sapiens seem to be the only species seem to be the only species that use symbolic language in a totally that use symbolic language in a totally detached manner detached manner

Miming is deliberate use of the entire body Miming is deliberate use of the entire body to communicate one’s intentions, it is to communicate one’s intentions, it is entirely possible to communicate without entirely possible to communicate without spoken language spoken language

Animals cannot actively produce new Animals cannot actively produce new combinations like humans combinations like humans

Gestures are a strong carrier of meaning, Gestures are a strong carrier of meaning, even when a person is using verbal speech even when a person is using verbal speech to communicate to communicate

Gardenfors, P. (2003). The dawn of Gardenfors, P. (2003). The dawn of language. In How homo became salanguage. In How homo became sapiens: on the evolution of thinking piens: on the evolution of thinking (pp. 141–165). New York: Oxford U(pp. 141–165). New York: Oxford University Press.niversity Press.

Interesting PointsInteresting Points

Difference between Difference between signalsignal and and symbolsymbol

Only humans can understand the Only humans can understand the meaning of symbols, combine signs, meaning of symbols, combine signs, and create spoken languageand create spoken language

Miming was a precursor to spoken Miming was a precursor to spoken language. language.

Gardenfors, P. (2003). The dawn of Gardenfors, P. (2003). The dawn of language. In How homo became salanguage. In How homo became sapiens: on the evolution of thinking piens: on the evolution of thinking (pp. 141–165). New York: Oxford U(pp. 141–165). New York: Oxford University Press.niversity Press.

Main DrawbacksMain Drawbacks It would have been in the authors benefit to use It would have been in the authors benefit to use

more animal studies to further support his more animal studies to further support his argument.argument.

The author frequently talked about a study and The author frequently talked about a study and then discounted it with what he thought, but, he then discounted it with what he thought, but, he did not give any solid research for why his did not give any solid research for why his reasoning was correct.reasoning was correct.

The author failed to explain what his ‘inner world’ The author failed to explain what his ‘inner world’ hypothesis was and how it corresponded to hypothesis was and how it corresponded to signals, symbols and icons and human language.signals, symbols and icons and human language.

The author talked about icons but never said why The author talked about icons but never said why they were importantthey were important

Gardenfors, P. (2003). The dawn of Gardenfors, P. (2003). The dawn of language. In How homo became salanguage. In How homo became sapiens: on the evolution of thinking piens: on the evolution of thinking (pp. 141–165). New York: Oxford U(pp. 141–165). New York: Oxford University Press.niversity Press.

Test QuestionTest Question

Humans developed _______ Humans developed _______ followed by the development of followed by the development of _______ ._______ .– Words; GesturesWords; Gestures– Gestures; LanguageGestures; Language– Language; MimicryLanguage; Mimicry

Correct answer: Gestures; Language

Gardenfors, P. (2003). The dawn of Gardenfors, P. (2003). The dawn of language. In How homo became salanguage. In How homo became sapiens: on the evolution of thinking piens: on the evolution of thinking (pp. 141–165). New York: Oxford U(pp. 141–165). New York: Oxford University Press.niversity Press.

Test QuestionTest Question Apes are able to use ______ but Apes are able to use ______ but

are not able to produce a _______.are not able to produce a _______.– Signals; SymbolsSignals; Symbols– Symbols; SignalsSymbols; Signals– Mimicry; MotionsMimicry; Motions– Motions; MimicryMotions; Mimicry

Correct Answer: Signals; Symbols

Gardenfors, P. (2003). The dawn of Gardenfors, P. (2003). The dawn of language. In How homo became salanguage. In How homo became sapiens: on the evolution of thinking piens: on the evolution of thinking (pp. 141–165). New York: Oxford U(pp. 141–165). New York: Oxford University Press.niversity Press.

Test QuestionTest Question The main difference between signals and The main difference between signals and

symbols is:symbols is:A. Symbols refer to a detached representation, while A. Symbols refer to a detached representation, while

signals stand for a perception or a sensation. signals stand for a perception or a sensation. B. Signals represent the detached, inner world where B. Signals represent the detached, inner world where

as symbols are present in the current as symbols are present in the current environment.environment.

C.There is no main difference between signals and C.There is no main difference between signals and symbols. symbols.

Correct Answer: A

Gardenfors, P. (2003). The dawn of Gardenfors, P. (2003). The dawn of language. In How homo became salanguage. In How homo became sapiens: on the evolution of thinking piens: on the evolution of thinking (pp. 141–165). New York: Oxford U(pp. 141–165). New York: Oxford University Press.niversity Press.

True or FalseTrue or False

Kanzi was able to produce a Kanzi was able to produce a language to the symbolic level of language to the symbolic level of human language.human language.

Correct answer: FalseCorrect answer: False

Gardenfors, P. (2003). The dawn of Gardenfors, P. (2003). The dawn of language. In How homo became salanguage. In How homo became sapiens: on the evolution of thinking piens: on the evolution of thinking (pp. 141–165). New York: Oxford U(pp. 141–165). New York: Oxford University Press.niversity Press.

True or FalseTrue or False

Miming was not a precursor to Miming was not a precursor to spoken language. spoken language.

Correct answer: FalseCorrect answer: False

Gardenfors, P. (2003). The dawn of Gardenfors, P. (2003). The dawn of language. In How homo became salanguage. In How homo became sapiens: on the evolution of thinking piens: on the evolution of thinking (pp. 141–165). New York: Oxford U(pp. 141–165). New York: Oxford University Press.niversity Press.

True or FalseTrue or False

Signals are about the surrounding Signals are about the surrounding world, while symbolic language is world, while symbolic language is often about our inner world.often about our inner world.

Correct Answer: True