scholarly journals The potential for genetic adaptations to language

2008 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 529-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Pagel ◽  
Quentin D. Atkinson

AbstractWe suggest there is somewhat more potential than Christiansen & Chater (C&C) allow for genetic adaptations specific to language. Our uniquely cooperative social system requires sophisticated language skills. Learning and performance of some culturally transmitted elements in animals is genetically based, and we give examples of features of human language that evolve slowly enough that genetic adaptations to them may arise.

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