Language evolution

4/30/02


Click here to start


Table of Contents

Language evolution

What is language for?

Words form hierarchies

Sentences have hierarchical structure

Noun phrase structure

Universal grammar

Consequences of grammar

Evidence for universal grammar

Infant vocal development

Word development follows object manipulation patterns

Syntax ontogeny

Grammar also follows ontogenetic pattern of object manipulation

Language aphasias

PPT Slide

Protolanguage

Animal language studies

Caspar Hauser children

Pidgeons and Creoles

When did language appear in hominid evolution

Competitive hominds: Koobi Fora

Paleolithic technology

Cave and rock paintings

Cave paintings

Neocortex size and group size in primates

Grooming time increases with group size

Tribal group sizes

Predicted grooming times for hominoids

Global linguistic diversity

Human language diversity

Latitudinal patterns of language diversity

Language diversity and growing season

ESS approach to word evolution

ESS approach to syntax

Syntax evolution: the problem

Syntax evolution: the answer

ESS approach to universal grammar

Evolution of universal grammar

Language evolution references

Author: Jerry Wilkinson

Email: gw10@umail.umd.edu

Download presentation source