Evolution of Language Tashina Nadjiwon

What is language? Language is thought to be a mechanism for transmitting information within thoughts Allows us to apply common grounds Powerful tool for social animals

Language and the Brain Lieberman believes that many aspects of language are performed by areas of the brain using more general cognitive and learning abilities In absence of language, inner forces overpower us to create a new language May have culturally evolved It is a desire to communicate with each other

Brain has distinctive areas for processing of information Language was built on top of existing cognitive structure Genetic variation affects language ability

Speech Phillip Lieberman: larynx descended into the throat This improved the ability to make vowel sounds

Lieberman’s argument is strictly evolutionary Humans are more susceptible to choke Still, Lieberman’s theory is correct

Hand to Mouth First you need a desire to communicate before you have speech Requires a coordinated transmitter and an attentive receiver Giacomo Rizzolatti Mirror cells The cells might allow an animal to mimic a motion that it sees another animal perform in order to obtain food

Rizzolatti has suggested that F5 corresponds to Broca's area in the human brain Interesting hypothesis Complex motor control area was adapted McGurk Effect we obtain speech information visually

Conclusion Desire to communicate is strong in humans Language provides us with a powerful tool Natural selection plays an important role Language has marked a turning point

The End Questions?