Evolution of speech and evolution of language

Abstract

Speech is the physical signal used to convey spoken language. Because of its physical nature, speech is both easier to compare with other species' behaviors and easier to study in the fossil record than other aspects of language. Here I argue that convergent fossil evidence indicates adaptations for complex vocalizations at least as early as the common ancestor of Neanderthals and modern humans. Furthermore, I argue that it is unlikely that language evolved separately from speech, but rather that gesture, speech, and song coevolved to provide both a multimodal communication system and a musical system. Moreover, coevolution must also have played a role by allowing both cognitive and anatomical adaptations to language and speech to evolve in parallel. Although such a coevolutionary scenario is complex, it is entirely plausible from a biological point of view.

Empirical approaches to the study of language evolution

“…Although written language is to some extent Bparasitic^on spoken language, scholars now universally accept that signed languages are full linguistic systems, as communicatively adequate as spoken language when acquired from birth (Emmorey, 2002;Klima & Bellugi, 1979;Stokoe, 1960). Clearly, language as a system for expressing thought is not limited to the audio-vocal channel (for further implications of this fact, see de Boer, 2016;Goldin-Meadow, 2016;Kendon, 2016).…”

“…This is appealing in that gesture is present in both apes and in modern humans, so we can assume it was present and playing a communicative role throughout hominin evolution. Many commentators side with the idea that pitting vocal and gestural models against each other creates a false dichotomy (de Boer, 2016;Goldin-Meadow, 2016;Kendon, 2016). Donald's piece in the current issue lays out this model and predictions concisely.…”

The origins of gestures and language: history, current advances and proposed theories

“…intentionality, turn‐taking, referentiality, grammatical rules and iconicity), probably linked through a slow self‐organisation process (e.g. Lindblom, MacNeilage & Studdert‐Kennedy, ; Oudeyer, ; De Boer, ), to build the multimodal, rhythmic and social interactive nature of language. Recent genetic, palaeontological and archeological data suggest that language and speech, once thought unique to modern humans, are ancient communication systems shared with Neanderthals, Homo neanderthalensis (Dediu & Levinson, , ).…”

Endogenous archeological sciences: Physiology, Neuroscience, Biochemistry, Immunology, Pharmacology, Oncology and Genetics as instrument for a new field of investigation? Modern global aspects for a new discipline

“…Coevolution also have played a role by allowing both the cognitive and anatomical adaptations to language and speech to evolve in parallel. Although such a coevolutionary scenario is complex, it is entirely plausible from a biological point of view" [14]. Cecilia Heyes, "Humans are animals that specialize in thinking / knowing, and extraordinary cognitive abilities have transformed every aspect of our lives.…”