Evolingo
Evolingo is a theory in the tension between biology ( Evo lution ) and Linguistics ( Ling uistik). The subject is the emergence of human language from the animal kingdom . The representatives assume that the neurobiological requirements (so-called modules ) already existed in the animal kingdom, possibly even at the time of the dinosaurs . In the course of human history , these were then used or combined in new ways. This was favored by anatomical developments and social factors , which ultimately led to the emergence of human language.
Emergence
The theory was founded by Marc Hauser ( Harvard University ), Noam Chomsky and Tecumseh Fitch .
The starting point was dissatisfaction with previous research approaches. In the opinion of the founders of Evolingo, the decades of research into the sounds of animals (whistling, chirping, barking, grunting, etc.) have not brought any real knowledge, as these sounds lack flexible semantics and syntax . In addition, human language is not dependent on utterances ( writing , sign language ).
This ultimately led to the detachment from researching vocalizations towards researching the neurobiological requirements.
Proto-language
Some researchers assume a proto-language , an intermediate stage between animal communication and human language. However, this assumption is not shared by all scientists. The term proto-language was coined in 1973 by the anthropologist Gordon Hewes.
supporting documents
Evolingo documents include:
- The enlarged Broca and Wernicke area in the left hemisphere of the chimpanzee , Australopithecus and Homo erectus .
- The occurrence of the FOXP2 gene in other species.
literature
- Klaus Wilhelm: From animal sound to human word. In: Bild der Wissenschaft 5/2008. Konradin Medien GmbH, Leinfeld-Echterdingen. ISSN 0006-2375 .
Individual evidence
- ^ W. Tecumseh Fitch: The evolution of language. In: New Scientist , December 4, 2010, attachment Instant Expert 6 , p. Vii.