Modelling the transition to complex, culturally transmitted communication
Human language is undoubtedly one of the most complex and powerful communication systems to have evolved on Earth. Study of the evolution of this behaviour is made difficult by the lack of comparable communication systems elsewhere in the animal kingdom, and by the fact that language leaves little trace in the fossil record. The human language faculty can, however, be decomposed into several component abilities and a proposed evolutionary explanation of the whole must address (at least) the evolution of each of these components. Some of these features may also be found in other species, and thus permit use of the powerful comparative method. This thesis addresses the evolution of two such component features of human language; complex vocal signalling and the cultural transmission of these vocal signals. I argue that these features make a significant contribution to the nature of human language as we observe it today and so a better understanding of the evolutionary processes that gave rise to them will contribute to study of the evolution of language. This thesis addresses the evolution of these features firstly by identifying other communication systems found in nature that display them, and focusing in particular
Ritchie, Graham R. S.
Informatics ; computer Science ; Linguistics
Modelling the transition to complex, culturally transmitted communication. Human language is undoubtedly one of the most complex and powerful communication systems to have evolved on Earth. Study of the evolution of this behaviour is made difficult by the lack of comparable communication systems elsewhere in the animal kingdom, and by the fact that language leaves little trace in the fossil record. The human language faculty can, however, be decomposed into several component abilities and a proposed evolutionary explanation of the whole must address (at least) the evolution of each of these components. Some of these features may also be found in other species, and thus permit use of the powerful comparative method. This thesis addresses the evolution of two such component features of human language; complex vocal signalling and the cultural transmission of these vocal signals. I argue that these features make a significant contribution to the nature of human language as we observe it today and so a better understanding of the evolutionary processes that gave rise to them will contribute to study of the evolution of language. This thesis addresses the evolution of these features firstly by identifying other communication systems found in nature that display them, and focusing in particular
modelling transition complex culturally transmit communication human_language undoubtedly complex powerful communication_system evolve earth study evolution behaviour make_difficult lack comparable communication_system elsewhere animal kingdom fact language leave_little trace fossil record human language_faculty however decompose several component ability propose evolutionary explanation whole must address least evolution component feature may_also find specie thus permit use powerful comparative_method address evolution component feature human_language complex vocal signal cultural_transmission vocal signal argue feature make_significant nature human_language observe today well evolutionary_process give_rise contribute study evolution_language address evolution feature firstly identifying communication_system find nature display focus_particular