Recent developments in language origin

Jean Aitchison

European Review, 2004, vol. 12, issue 2, 227-234

Abstract: In the last ten years, researchers have accepted that language is the outcome of normal evolutionary processes. This has led to a flurry of new work, resulting in some important steps forward in our understanding of language origin. This paper outlines the highlights. The location of proto-humans has been confirmed as Africa, and African hominids are more widely scattered than was previously assumed. Some probably moved out of Africa earlier than was once thought likely. Evolutionary theory has also been explored in more depth. The probable date of language origin has moved earlier, and the precursors of language have been examined, resulting in a more sophisticated understanding of symbolic communication. ‘Mirror neurons’ have been proposed as relevant to the neurological underpinnings of mind-reading, which may underlie the ‘naming insight’. A proto-language stage probably preceded full language, and this proto-language may have involved several layers, which are still visible in language today.

Date: 2004
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