Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-gxg78 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T04:05:34.555Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Recent developments in language origin

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 May 2004

JEAN AITCHISON
Affiliation:
Worcester College, Oxford, OX1 2HB, UK. E-mail: [email protected]

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.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© Academia Europaea 2004

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)