Language and human evolution

[CarbonCopy]

I have heard a lot of talk about how the development in language was a turning point in human evolution. But, why exactly was it ? And what areas of the brain got bigger due to language.

On a side note, did other very 'human' traits such as culture, art, rationalism come about due to language ?

Edited March 19, 2013 by CarbonCopy

[Delta1212]

Strictly speaking, culture is learned behaviors and ideas passed down through generations. Learned, in that it isn't instinctive or biologically determined and therefore must be taught by someone else. Humans aren't the only species to do this; it has been observed in animals ranging from primates to marine mammals to some types of birds.

 

What complex human language allows, however, is a much greater deal of information to be taught more effectively and much more complex and abstract behaviors and idea to be passed down and built upon. It also allows for a much larger range of cooperative behaviors between individuals which is the basis for a lot of human achievement.

 

Language is responsible for our ability to build on each other's accomplishments, both by working with contemporaries and by learning from and expanding upon the knowledge of the previous generation.

 

Animals can teach each other to use rudimentary tools and sing unique songs, but the ability to innovate and rapidly disseminate new knowledge really relies on communicative ability, and humanity's language skills are unparalleled.

[Dekan]

Carbon, I think language is the most important invention, that humans made. More important than using fire, or making tools. Tools can be made from flint, or wood or bone. Even without intelligence. Some animals easily make tools.

 

Fire is harder for animals. Mainly because fire burns and spreads so fast. It needs fast mental reactions, which most animals haven't got. But even so, a fire-using animal, might be possible.

 

However a language-using animal seems unlikely. Even Alex the parrot was really only using English words in a kind of stimulus/response way.

 

When Alex said to Irene "You be good. I love you", was it true, what he said?

Edited March 19, 2013 by Dekan

[CharonY]

Language itself is not unique to humans. Alex certainly did not use it in a stimulus response way, but he was able to associate properties such as color and shape with words. Note that not all communication has to be verbal. The main difference is the apparent depth and level of abstraction human language has. compared to what other animals are capable of (though more research would be needed).

 

Same goes for tradition, the development of traditions have been extensively researched in macaques (see e.g. Leca et al 2010 Animal Behavior) and other animals. Again, it is not an all-or-nothing matter, but rather one of degree. As such there is not likely to be a singular turning point during our evolution.