Language and Culture Prof. R. Hickey ss 2006 The evolution of language

Why do languages differ?

• hard-wired: - pre-programmed
• - do not have to be learned
• - instinctive
• - (Swiss army knife)
• soft-wired: - can be acquired
• - have to be learned
• - Auntie Maggie’s remedy
• past: nature – nurture; hard – soft; instinct – learning controversies
• present: ‘innately guided behaviour’

Conclusion

• many theories – scientific or non-scientific – were propounded
• Amoeba Question and the rabbit-out-of-hat problem
• differing: - Swiss Army Knife vs. Auntie Maggie’s remedy; hard-wired vs. soft-wired;
• - innately guided behaviour

The origin of language

• Ivo Tateo

The Human’s history of evolution

• 175,000 BP
• 300,000 BP
• 1,5 m BP
• 2 m BP
• 3 m BP
• 4 m BP
• 4,5 m BP

• Homo sapiens sapiens (modern humans)
• Archaic Homo sapiens
• Homo erectus (upright man)
• Homo abilis (handy man)
• Homo (man)
• Australopithecus afarensis
• Australopithecus ramidus