From ontogeny to phylogeny: Human vs. Animal Communication

Question 1

What is “Shared Intentionality”? Do apes have that too?

Answer 1

• Tomasello introduces the concept of shared intentionality, which is the ability to share psychological states with others. This includes joint attention, shared goals, and cooperative activities.
• Shared intentionality is a key differentiator between human and non-human primate communication.

Question 2

What is Cooperative Communication and why did it emerge?

Answer 2

• Early humans developed communication systems primarily to coordinate and collaborate on tasks, rather than for mere information transmission.
• Human communication evolved within the context of collaborative activities, such as hunting and gathering, which required high levels of coordination and mutual understanding.

Question 3

What is the significance of gestural communication?

Answer 3

• Tomasello argues that human communication likely started with gestures rather than vocalizations. Gestural communication is more flexible and can be easily combined with other forms of communication.
• He provides evidence that non-human primates use gestures in intentional ways, which might have been the precursor to human language.

Question 4

What is Theory of mind and what do we need it?

Answer 4

• The development of a theory of mind, the ability to attribute mental states to oneself and others, was crucial for the evolution of human communication.
• This capability allowed humans to understand the intentions and perspectives of others, facilitating more effective and nuanced communication.

Question 5

What is symbolic communication? How does it differ from gestural communication? What are its advantages?

Answer 5

• Symbolic communication refers to the process of people using symbols, like words, gestures, and images, to convey information or express their thoughts, feelings, ideas, and beliefs to others.
• The transition from purely gestural (e.g. pointing) to symbolic communication marks a significant evolutionary step.
• Symbols allowed for the representation of abstract concepts and the communication of complex ideas, which was not possible with gestures alone.

Question 6

What roles plays cultural transmission in the evolution of language?

Answer 6

• Tomasello emphasizes the importance of cultural transmission in the evolution of communication. Language and communication skills are passed down through generations, with each generation building upon the previous ones.
• The cumulative cultural evolution of communication systems distinguishes human language from the more static communication systems of other primates.

Question 7

What are the main differences between human and ape communication according to M. Tomasello?

Answer 7

• Tomasello argues that while great apes show some capacity for intentional communication, they lack the cooperative and shared intentionality that characterizes human communication.
• Tomasello’s analysis highlights that while non-human primates exhibit some forms of intentional and cooperative communication, the depth, flexibility, and complexity of human communication are unparalleled.
• The differences in shared intentionality, cooperative motives, theory of mind, symbolic communication, cultural transmission, and linguistic complexity underscore the unique evolutionary path that led to human language. These distinctions provide insight into the cognitive and social mechanisms that underpin the origins and development of human communication.

Question 8

How does shared intentionality differentiate human communication from that of non-human primates?

Answer 8

Shared intentionality allows humans to engage in complex collaborative activities and discuss abstract concepts, which non-human primates are generally unable to do.

Question 9

Why does Tomasello emphasize cooperative communication in human evolution?

Answer 9

Cooperative communication evolved to coordinate and collaborate on tasks, fostering group activities like hunting and gathering that required high levels of coordination and mutual understanding.

Question 10

What role does gestural communication play in Tomasello’s theory?

Answer 10

Tomasello argues that human communication likely started with gestures, which are more flexible and can be combined with other forms of communication, preceding vocalizations.

Question 11

What evidence does Tomasello provide regarding gestural communication in non-human primates?

Answer 11

He provides evidence that non-human primates use intentional gestures, suggesting a precursor to human language.

Question 12

How is ‘theory of mind’ crucial to the evolution of human communication?

Answer 12

Theory of mind allows humans to attribute mental states to themselves and others, facilitating the understanding of intentions and perspectives, which enhances communication.

Question 13

What marks the transition from gestural to symbolic communication in humans?

Answer 13

The use of symbols to represent abstract concepts and communicate complex ideas marks a significant evolutionary step from gestures to language.

Question 14

How do human children demonstrate the development of shared intentionality?

Answer 14

Human children show early signs of joint attention and the desire to share experiences with others, which are foundational to the development of language

Question 15

How does Tomasello’s theory explain the unique complexity of human syntax and grammar?

Answer 15

The evolution of shared intentionality and cooperative communication provided the basis for the development of complex syntax and grammar, enabling the creation of infinite sentence structures and detailed expressions.

Question 16

What role do non-verbal cues play in Tomasello’s view of early human communication?

Answer 16

Non-verbal cues, such as gestures and facial expressions, played a significant role in early human communication, providing a foundation for the later development of spoken language.

Question 17

What is ontogenesis in the context of language development?What is phylogenesis in the context of language development?

Answer 17

• Phylogenesis refers to the development of language over the course of the evolutionary history of humans as a species.
• Ontogenesis refers to the development of language in an individual human being, from infancy through adulthood.

Question 18

Name one theory of how language evolved.

Answer 18

Language evolved through the ritualization of motor/action patterns that were fundamental for survival, becoming signs for communication within the species.

Question 19

What is the dance language of bees and who discovered it?

Answer 19

The dance language of bees, discovered by Karl von Frisch, involves bees using waggle dances to inform other bees about the direction, distance, and quantity of a food source.

Question 20

What are some key distinguishing features of bee language compared to human language?

Answer 20

Bee language has a small repertoire of signs, no combinatorial freedom, genetically determined form-meaning relationships, and its function is restricted to informing.

Question 21

How do great apes communicate and what does this tell us about human ancestors?

Answer 21

Great apes give clues about early human communication by using vocalizations and gestures, suggesting that our ancestors had similar communication methods.

Question 22

What are the different types of warning calls in African vervet monkeys and what do they signify?

Answer 22

African vervet monkeys use different warning calls for different predators: short tonal calls for leopards, low pitch for eagles, and high pitch for snakes, leading to different reactions.

Question 23

Can chimpanzees raised in human societies learn language like human children?

Answer 23

There have been many attempts, with some success, like Kanzi who learned to use a keyboard with symbols to communicate, suggesting limited language learning ability.

Question 24

What are some examples of syntax in ape language research?

Answer 24

Research with apes like Kanzi and Nim Chimpsky has shown limited use of syntax, with mostly simple and reward-driven combinations of words and symbols.

Question 25

What are the distinctive features of human language compared to animal communication?

Answer 25

Human language features complex syntax, recursion, combinatorial freedom, large vocabulary, and social and communicative aspects that are unique.

Question 26

What role does recursion play in human language?

Answer 26

Recursion allows for the creation of complex and nested sentences, enabling an infinite number of sentences to be generated from a finite set of rules and vocabulary.

Question 27

How did language evolve as a substitute for grooming in primates?

Answer 27

Language evolved as a more efficient form of social interaction compared to grooming, allowing for larger social groups and more complex communication.

Question 28

What is the social brain hypothesis in relation to language evolution?

Answer 28

The social brain hypothesis suggests that as social groups became larger, grooming was insufficient for social bonding, leading to the evolution of language as a more effective tool.

Question 29

How does human communication differ from animal communication in terms of cooperation?

Answer 29

Human communication is highly cooperative, involving mutual interest and willingness to help each other, whereas animal communication lacks these prosocial motives.

Question 30

What developmental milestones are important for language acquisition in humans?

Answer 30

Key milestones include auditory and visual perception, learning capacity, motor control, understanding the social world, and triadic interactions involving shared attention and intentions.

Question 31

What is the gap in social understanding between great apes and humans?

Answer 31

Great apes understand intentions and can interact communicatively in dyads, but lack the understanding of common goals and coordinated action plans seen in humans.