Abstract
Uniquely among animal communication systems, human language is simultaneously symbolic, richly structured, socially learned, dynamically diverse, and capable of expressing almost any meaning conceivable. This chapter examines what language-related behavioral and cognitive traits humans share with other species. It is structured around two cognitive capacities that have played key roles in explanations of the origin and evolution of language, namely cooperation and imitation. The chapter explains why cooperative behavior, including sharing helpful information through linguistic communication, poses difficulties for evolutionary theory and reviews the extent of cooperation and related capacities such as theory of mind in primates. It considers the role of imitation, the basis of the transmission of cultural information, such as language, across generations. The chapter explores a recent shift in thinking towards integrating cultural processes in explanations of the biological evolution of cognitive traits.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | The Handbook of Historical Linguistics, II |
| Publisher | Wiley |
| Chapter | 23 |
| Pages | 500-522 |
| Number of pages | 23 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9781118732168 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781118732212 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 16 Jul 2020 |
Keywords
- Cognition
- Cooperation
- Evolutionary approach
- Imitation
- Language evolution
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Arts and Humanities
- General Social Sciences