scholarly journals Why Are No Animal Communication Systems Simple Languages?

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael D. Beecher
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Cultural Transmission ◽  
Communication Systems ◽  
Animal Communication ◽  
Bird Song ◽  
Necessary Condition ◽  
Human Language ◽  
Design Features ◽  
Simple Language ◽  
High Level

Individuals of some animal species have been taught simple versions of human language despite their natural communication systems failing to rise to the level of a simple language. How is it, then, that some animals can master a version of language, yet none of them deploy this capacity in their own communication system? I first examine the key design features that are often used to evaluate language-like properties of natural animal communication systems. I then consider one candidate animal system, bird song, because it has several of the key design features or their precursors, including social learning and cultural transmission of their vocal signals. I conclude that although bird song communication is nuanced and complex, and has the acoustic potential for productivity, it is not productive – it cannot be used to say many different things. Finally, I discuss the debate over whether animal communication should be viewed as a cooperative information transmission process, as we typically view human language, or as a competitive process where signaler and receiver vie for control. The debate points to a necessary condition for the evolution of a simple language that has generally been overlooked: the degree of to which the interests of the signaler and receiver align. While strong cognitive and signal production mechanisms are necessary pre-adaptations for a simple language, they are not sufficient. Also necessary is the existence of identical or near-identical interests of signaler and receiver and a socio-ecology that requires high-level cooperation across a range of contexts. In the case of our hominid ancestors, these contexts included hunting, gathering, child care and, perhaps, warfare. I argue that the key condition for the evolution of human language was the extreme interdependency that existed among unrelated individuals in the hunter-gatherer societies of our hominid ancestors. This extreme interdependency produced multiple prosocial adaptations for effective intragroup cooperation, which in partnership with advanced cognitive abilities, set the stage for the evolution of language.

scholarly journals Reflections on Protolanguage: Evidence from Studies on Animal Communication

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 113
Author(s):  
Aziz Jaber ◽  
Osama Omari ◽  
Mujdey Abudalbuh
Keyword(s):  
Convergent Evolution ◽  
Communication Systems ◽  
Animal Communication ◽  
Language Evolution ◽  
Intermediate Stage ◽  
Necessary Condition ◽  
Human Language ◽  
Human Communication ◽  
Semantic Compositionality ◽  
Human Animal

The paper is a critique of the existence of protolanguage based on some personal reasoning given the findings of previous research. This paper focuses on the nature of semantic compositionality and its existence (and therefore manifestations) in animal communication systems as evidence of the existence of protolanguage. This compositional state that started to color human language has paved the way to hierarchical syntax and thus has helped in the emergence of a recursive, fully complex language. On the other hand, non-human animal communication systems, including those examined in this paper, have not managed to progress beyond the holophrastic state, and thus remained highly confined and unproductive. This is explicated by the observation that these systems do not employ discrete meaningful units that can be used recursively in different linguistic contexts, a necessary condition for a system of communication to be compositional. This is interesting in the study of language evolution as it could suggest that human language could not have evolved from a rudimentary, intermediate stage called protolanguage. Speculating about the existence of protolanguage subsumes convergent evolution (e.g. songbirds). The lack of semantic compositionality in non-human communication system suggests that convergent evolution is hard to prove, which puts the existence of protolanguage on the line. This thesis is, however, far from being established and requires a lot of further research to prove its validity.   Received: 21 September 2020 / Accepted: 3 November 2020 / Published: 17 January 2021

scholarly journals Becoming human: human infants link language and cognition, but what about the other great apes?

2019 ◽  
Vol 375 (1789) ◽  
pp. 20180408 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miriam A. Novack ◽  
Sandra Waxman
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Transmission ◽  
Communication Systems ◽  
Object Representation ◽  
Animal Communication ◽  
Great Apes ◽  
Conclusive Evidence ◽  
Human Infant ◽  
Human Language ◽  
Human Infants ◽  
Cognitive Capacities

Human language has no parallel elsewhere in the animal kingdom. It is unique not only for its structural complexity but also for its inextricable interface with core cognitive capacities such as object representation, object categorization and abstract rule learning. Here, we (i) review recent evidence documenting how (and how early) language interacts with these core cognitive capacities in the mind of the human infant, and (ii) consider whether this link exists in non-human great apes—our closest genealogical cousins. Research with human infants demonstrates that well before they begin to speak, infants have already forged a link between language and core cognitive capacities. Evident by just three months of age, this language–cognition link unfolds in a rich developmental cascade, with each advance providing the foundation for subsequent, more precise and more powerful links. This link supports our species' capacity to represent and convey abstract concepts and to communicate beyond the immediate here and now. By contrast, although the communication systems of great apes are sophisticated in their own right, there is no conclusive evidence that apes establish reference, convey information declaratively or pass down communicative devices via cultural transmission. Thus, the evidence currently available reinforces the uniqueness of human language and the power of its interface to cognition. This article is part of the theme issue ‘What can animal communication teach us about human language?’

scholarly journals Bird sounds in nature writing: Human perspective on animal communication

2009 ◽  
Vol 37 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 580-613 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kadri Tüür
Keyword(s):  
Present Article ◽  
Nature Writing ◽  
Animal Communication ◽  
Bird Song ◽  
Literary Analysis ◽  
Human Language ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Human Interpretation ◽  
Object Of Study

The object of study in the present article is birds, more precisely the sounds of birds as they are represented in Estonian nature writing. The evolutionary and structural parallels of bird song with human language are reviewed. Human interpretation of bird sounds raises the question, whether it is possible to transmit or “translate” signals between the Umwelts of different species. The intentions of the sender of the signal may remain unknown, but the signification process within human Umwelt can still be traced and analysed. By approaching the excerpts of nature writing using semiotic methodology, I attempt to demonstrate how bird sounds can function as different types of signs, as outlined by Thomas A. Sebeok. It is argued that the zoosemiotic treatment of nature writing opens up a number of interesting perspectives that would otherwise remain beyond the scope of traditional literary analysis.

Human uniqueness, learned symbols and recursive thought

2004 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 551-565 ◽  
Author(s):  
JAMES R. HURFORD
Keyword(s):  
Communication System ◽  
Communication Systems ◽  
Animal Communication ◽  
Human Language ◽  
Theoretical Claim ◽  
Human Uniqueness

Human language is qualitatively different from animal communication systems in at least two separate ways. Human languages contain tens of thousands of arbitrary learned symbols (mainly words). No other animal communication system involves learning the component symbolic elements afresh in each individual's lifetime, and certainly not in such vast numbers. Human language also has complex compositional syntax. The meanings of our sentences are composed from the meanings of the constituent parts (e.g. the words). This is obvious to us, but no other animal communication system (with honeybees as an odd but distracting exception) puts messages together in this way. A recent theoretical claim that the sole distinguishing feature of human language is recursion is discussed, and related to these features of learned symbols and compositional syntax. It is argued that recursive thought could have existed in prelinguistic hominids, and that the key step to language was the innovative disposition to learn massive numbers of arbitrary symbols

scholarly journals Construction grammar for monkeys?

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Pleyer ◽  
Stefan Hartmann
Keyword(s):  
Communication Systems ◽  
Animal Communication ◽  
Language Evolution ◽  
Construction Grammar ◽  
Alarm Calls ◽  
Human Language ◽  
Communication Research ◽  
Evolution Of Language ◽  
Linguistic Communication ◽  
Key Issues

Abstract In recent years, multiple researchers working on the evolution of language have put forward the idea that the theoretical framework of usage-based approaches and Construction Grammar is highly suitable for modelling the emergence of human language from pre-linguistic or proto-linguistic communication systems. This also raises the question of whether usage-based and constructionist approaches can be integrated with the analysis of animal communication systems. In this paper, we review possible avenues where usage-based, constructionist approaches can make contact with animal communication research, which in turn also has implications for theories of language evolution. To this end, we first give an overview of key assumptions of usage-based and constructionist approaches before reviewing some key issues in animal communication research through the lens of usage-based, constructionist approaches. Specifically, we will discuss how research on alarm calls, gestural communication and symbol-trained animals can be brought into contact with usage-based, constructionist theorizing. We argue that a constructionist view of animal communication can yield new perspectives on its relation to human language, which in turn has important implications regarding the evolution of language. Importantly, this theoretical approach also generates hypotheses that have the potential of complementing and extending results from the more formalist approaches that often underlie current animal communication research.

scholarly journals Animal cognition and the evolution of human language: why we cannot focus solely on communication

2019 ◽  
Vol 375 (1789) ◽  
pp. 20190046 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Tecumseh Fitch
Keyword(s):  
Communication Systems ◽  
Animal Communication ◽  
Language Evolution ◽  
Animal Cognition ◽  
Small Subset ◽  
Human Language ◽  
Human Communication ◽  
Theme Issue ◽  
Royal Road ◽  
Communicative Signals

Studies of animal communication are often assumed to provide the ‘royal road’ to understanding the evolution of human language. After all, language is the pre-eminent system of human communication: doesn't it make sense to search for its precursors in animal communication systems? From this viewpoint, if some characteristic feature of human language is lacking in systems of animal communication, it represents a crucial gap in evolution, and evidence for an evolutionary discontinuity. Here I argue that we should reverse this logic: because a defining feature of human language is its ability to flexibly represent and recombine concepts, precursors for many important components of language should be sought in animal cognition rather than animal communication. Animal communication systems typically only permit expression of a small subset of the concepts that can be represented and manipulated by that species. Thus, if a particular concept is not expressed in a species' communication system this is not evidence that it lacks that concept. I conclude that if we focus exclusively on communicative signals, we sell the comparative analysis of language evolution short. Therefore, animal cognition provides a crucial (and often neglected) source of evidence regarding the biology and evolution of human language. This article is part of the theme issue ‘What can animal communication teach us about human language?’

What is duality of patterning, anyway?

2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 261-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Robert Ladd
Keyword(s):  
Communication Systems ◽  
Short Paper ◽  
Human Language ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Design Features ◽  
Duality Of Patterning

AbstractThe notion of duality of patterning (henceforth DoP), at least for readers of this special issue, is probably most closely associated with Charles F. Hockett's project of identifying the ‘design features’ of language in order to characterise the ways in which human language is unique among biological communication systems (Hockett 1958: chapter 64; Hockett 1960; Hockett and Ascher 1964). Roughly speaking, DoP refers to the fact that the meaningful units of language – words or morphemes – are made up of meaningless units – phonemes or features – whose only function is to distinguish the meaningful units from one another. Stated this way, the idea seems quite straightforward, and to have it explicitly stated as a property of language seems a useful insight. In fact, though, of all the design features discussed by Hockett, DoP seems to have engendered the most confusion. The idea that meaningful units are composed of meaningless ones seems simple enough, but many complications arise when we look more closely. The goal of this short paper is to document some of the complications and perhaps alleviate some of the confusion.

scholarly journals Animal Communication and Human Language: An overview

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonardo Barón Birchenall
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Research ◽  
Communication Systems ◽  
Animal Communication ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Human Language ◽  
Language Abilities ◽  
Evolution Of Language ◽  
Current State ◽  
Phylogenetic Evolution ◽  
Main Component

Comparative research has proven to be a fruitful field of study on the ontogenetic and phylogenetic evolution of language, and on the cognitive capacities unique to humans or shared with other animals. The degree of continuity between components of human language and non-human animal communication systems, as well as the existence of a core factor of language, are polemic subjects at present. In this article, we offer an overview of the research on animal communication, comparing the resulting data with the current knowledge on human language development. We try to summarize what is currently known about “language abilities” in multiple animals, and compare those facts to what is known about human language. The aim of the article is to provide an introduction to this particular topic, presenting the different sides of the arguments when possible. A special reference is made to the question of syntactic recursion as the main component of language, allegedly absent among non-human animals. We conclude that the current state of knowledge supports the existence of a certain degree of continuity between different aspects of animal communication and human language, including the syntactic domain.

scholarly journals Problem-based learning as a means of chemistry education effectiveness improvement at a medical university

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 282-289
Author(s):  
Rezeda Mucharramovna Garanina
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Chemistry Education ◽  
Cognitive Activity ◽  
Problem Based Learning ◽  
Approaches To Learning ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
Necessary Condition ◽  
Subject Role ◽  
High Level ◽  
Development Of Students

The paper discusses the goals and objectives of problem-based learning, discusses methods of students cognitive activity and cognitive independence stimulation by practical problems solving. Problem-based learning is a necessary condition for increasing students motivation for self-study and self-education, contributes to the development of students cognitive abilities. Problematic interpretation of educational material by practical problems solving, integrated problems with designation of interdisciplinary connections suggest using of a partial search method to optimize students cognitive activity. The relevance of problem-based learning largely lies in its developmental orientation, including various types of situational problems solving in the study of the course chemistry. Special attention is paid to problem-based learning through the case method, actualization of interdisciplinary connections as a didactic principle in teaching. The subject role of the teacher is actualized, which still remains central and coordinating, presupposes a creative approach to work, the presence of fundamental theoretical knowledge, intellectual baggage, global professional thinking and professional culture. The formulation of problematic situations requires innovative thinking, non-standard approaches to learning, contributes to a better understanding of their professional role, democratization and modernization of the educational process. Objective data on the advantages of problem-based learning for the development of students cognitive abilities, manifestation of subjectivity, activation of the acquired knowledge and their application in practice to solve real educational, educational-research and educational-professional tasks, development of systemic clinical thinking capable of providing a high level of training of a modern specialist are presented in health care.

scholarly journals Construction Grammar for Monkeys? Animal communication and its implications for language evolution in the light of usage-based linguistic theory

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Pleyer ◽  
Stefan Hartmann
Keyword(s):  
Communication Systems ◽  
Animal Communication ◽  
Language Evolution ◽  
Construction Grammar ◽  
Alarm Calls ◽  
Human Language ◽  
Communication Research ◽  
Evolution Of Language ◽  
Linguistic Communication ◽  
Key Issues

In recent years, multiple researchers working on the evolution of language have put forward the idea that the theoretical framework of usage-based approaches and Construction Grammar is highly suitable for modelling the emergence of human language from pre-linguistic or proto-linguistic communication systems. This also raises the question of whether usage-based and constructionist approaches can be integrated with the analysis of animal communication systems. In this paper, we review possible avenues where usage-based, constructionist approaches can make contact with animal communication research, which in turn also has implications for theories of language evolution. To this end, we first give an overview of key assumptions of usage-based and constructionist approaches before reviewing some key issues in animal communication research through the lens of usage-based, constructionist approaches. Specifically, we will discuss how research on alarm calls, gestural communication and symbol-trained animals can be brought into contact with usage-based, constructionist theorizing. We argue that a constructionist view of animal communication can yield new perspectives on its relation to human language, which in turn has important implications regarding the evolution of language. Importantly, this theoretical approach also generates hypotheses that have the potential of complementing and extending results from the more formalist approaches that often underlie current animal communication research.

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