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