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Download The Biology and Origins of Language Part 2 Tonal Language
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The Biology and Origins of Language Part 2 Tonal Language Example Mandarin Tone Use Word Intonation ba [/] ba [--] ba [\/] ba [\] Meaning to uproot eight to hold a harrow Genes and Language The newer version of ASPM is traced back to 5800 years ago. The newer version of Microcephalin is traced back to 37,000 years ago. (Dan Dediu and Robert Ladd of the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, May 2007) When did language first appear in humans? ????????? Fossil Evidence for Language 1 Indicator Endocasts Fossil Australopithecus africanus/Taung Baby Age 3 MYA Feature Lunate sulcus farther back (language than in apes as in modern present) human brains Proponent Ralph Hollowell Oponent Dean Faulk Australopithicines Australopithecines lived between 5 and 2 million years ago. (Artists rendition based on skeletal and muscular reconstruction.) Location of the Lunate Sulcus Front of the brain Back of the brain Fossil Evidence for Language 2 Indicator Endocasts Fossil Homo habilis/ER 1470 Age 2 MYA Feature Broca's Area sulci may be present (language present) Proponents Hollowell and Faulk Fossil Evidence for Language 3 Indicator Fossil Total brain size Age Feature 2 MYA (language present) Homo habilis cranial capacity jumps from 400cc in Australopithecines to 600cc Large increase in neurological connections Proponents Deacon says jump in cranial capacity shows language Opponents Say specialized language organs more important than total size Australopithecus vs. Homo habilis Homo habilis 600 cc Australopithecus 400 cc Fossil Evidence for Language 4 Indicator Fossil Age Feature (language present) Proponents Opponents Thoracic vertebral canal Homo sapiens (H. erectus/WT 15000 does not have enlargement) 100,000 years ago Enlarged for increased nerve bundles to control breathing adapted to speech Ann McLarnon Homo erectus Homo erectus lived between 1.5 and .5 million years ago. They hunted large game and gathered plant foods. (Artists rendition based on skeletal and muscular reconstruction.) Fossil Evidence for Language 5 Indicator Fossil Age Feature Reconstructed vocal tracts including tongues Homo neanderthalensis 100,000 years ago Reconstruction of modern tongue size scaled to fit (no language) Neanderthal throat reaches down into the chest cavity Proponents Philip Lieberman Opponents Homo neanderthalensis Neanderthals lived between 200,000 and 28,000 years ago in what is now Europe and the Middle East. There is evidence that they may have buried their dead, and that they may have had other religious rituals. (Artists rendition based on skeletal and muscular reconstruction.) Neanderthal Throat/Tongue Ratios Fossil Evidence for Language 6 Indicator Fossil Age Feature (language present) Proponents Opponents Basicranium shape Homo sapiens sapiens 100,000 years ago Basicranial angle more pronounced in H. sapiens than other hominids indicating language Jeffrey Laitman Basocranial Shape in Chimps and Hominids Why Language? Why Language? Why Language? Powerpoint Study Guide Endocast Lunate sulcus Basocranial shape Australopithecus Homo habilis Homo erectus Neandertal Homo sapiens Social bonding Grooming Vocal grooming Body Size r Selection K selection Brain to Body Ratio Cortical Brain Non-Cortical Brain Brain Lateralization Broca’s Area Wernicke’s Area Geschwind’s Territory Arcuate Fasiculus Aphasia FOXP2 Gene ASPM Gene Microcephalin Gene Tonal Languages
