The Origin of Language and the Gesture First Hypothesis

Question 1

What is the main argument of Corballis (2009) in “Language as Gesture”?

Answer 1

Corballis argues that language evolved from manual gestures, which were gradually supplemented and then replaced by vocalizations

Question 2

How does Corballis define ‘gesture’ in the context of language evolution?

Answer 2

Gesture is defined as a form of non-verbal communication involving bodily movements, particularly of the hands, that convey meaningful information.

Question 3

What evidence does Corballis provide to support the idea that language evolved from gestures?

Answer 3

Corballis cites evidence from primate communication, neurological studies, and the observation of gestural communication in human children and adults.

Question 4

How does the mirror neuron system relate to the evolution of language according to Corballis?

Answer 4

The mirror neuron system, which is involved in both the execution and observation of actions, is thought to have played a crucial role in the transition from gesture to vocal language by linking perception and production of gestures.

Question 5

What role do manual gestures play in modern human communication, as discussed by Corballis?

Answer 5

Manual gestures complement and enhance verbal communication, often providing additional information and helping to convey meaning more effectively.

Question 6

What is the significance of left hemisphere dominance in language processing?

Answer 6

Corballis discusses how left hemisphere dominance for language processing in the brain is consistent with the lateralization of motor control, supporting the gesture-origin hypothesis.

Question 7

How does Corballis explain the shift from gestural to vocal language?

Answer 7

The shift may have been driven by the need for communication in situations where manual gestures were impractical, such as during tool use or in the dark, leading to the development of vocalizations as a more versatile form of communication.

Question 8

What is the connection between sign languages and the gestural origins of language?

Answer 8

Sign languages, which are fully developed languages that use manual gestures, demonstrate that gesture-based communication can be as complex and expressive as spoken languages, supporting the idea that language could have originated from gestures.

Question 9

What does Corballis say about the role of vocal imitation in language evolution?

Answer 9

Vocal imitation may have facilitated the transition from gesture to speech by allowing early humans to mimic sounds and eventually develop a more sophisticated vocal language system.

Question 10

How does Corballis address the role of syntax in the evolution of language?

Answer 10

He suggests that the hierarchical structure of syntax could have evolved from the sequencing of gestures, where combining gestures in specific orders could create more complex and varied meanings.

Question 11

What implications does the gestural theory of language origin have for understanding language disorders?

Answer 11

Understanding the gestural roots of language can offer insights into language disorders, as disruptions in the neural systems related to motor control and gestures may also affect language processing.

Question 12

How does Corballis view the relationship between language and thought?

Answer 12

Corballis argues that while language can shape thought, the ability to use gestures and other forms of non-verbal communication suggests that complex thought can occur independently of spoken language.

Question 13

How does the gestural origin hypothesis explain the universality of certain gestures across cultures?

Answer 13

The hypothesis suggests that certain gestures may be universal because they are rooted in common evolutionary pressures and the shared need for basic forms of communication.

Question 14

What role does Corballis attribute to social interaction in the evolution of language?

Answer 14

Social interaction is considered a driving force in the evolution of language, with the need to communicate within social groups promoting the development of more complex and efficient communication systems.

Question 15

How does Corballis’s hypothesis relate to the study of non-human primates?

Answer 15

Observations of gestural communication in non-human primates provide evidence that gestures are a fundamental form of communication, supporting the idea that human language could have evolved from similar behaviors.

Question 16

What are mirror neurons and where were the first discovered?

Answer 16

Mirror neurons are neurons that fire both when an individual performs an action and when they observe the same action performed by another. Mirror neurons were first discovered in the premotor cortex of monkeys.

Question 17

How do Fogassi and Ferrari link mirror neurons to the evolution of language?

Answer 17

They propose that mirror neurons facilitated the understanding of actions and intentions, which could have laid the groundwork for the development of gestural communication and eventually spoken language.

Question 18

What evidence do the Fogassi et al. provide for the involvement of mirror neurons in language evolution?

Answer 18

The authors cite neurophysiological studies showing activation of mirror neuron systems during both action observation and language tasks.

Question 19

How do mirror neurons contribute to the understanding of gestures?

Answer 19

Mirror neurons enable the recognition and imitation of gestures, which is a fundamental aspect of learning and communication.

Question 20

What is the relationship between mirror neurons and intentionality, according to the paper?

Answer 20

Mirror neurons help in understanding the intentions behind others’ actions, which is crucial for effective communication and social interaction.

Question 21

How do Fogassi and Ferrari explain the transition from gestural to vocal communication?

Answer 21

They suggest that the neural mechanisms underlying gestural communication, mediated by mirror neurons, may have been co-opted for vocal communication as hominins developed more complex social structures.

Question 22

What role does imitation play in the context of mirror neurons and language evolution?

Answer 22

Imitation, facilitated by mirror neurons, is a key process in the learning and transmission of communicative behaviors, including both gestures and speech.

Question 23

What do the authors suggest about the evolution of the human brain in relation to language?

Answer 23

They suggest that the human brain evolved specialized neural circuits, including mirror neurons, that support the complex integration of actions, gestures, and vocalizations in communication.

Question 24

How do mirror neurons relate to the concept of ‘embodied cognition’?

Answer 24

Mirror neurons support the idea of embodied cognition by linking perception and action, showing how cognitive processes are grounded in physical interactions with the environment.

Question 25

How does the paper address the role of social interactions in language evolution?

Answer 25

The paper emphasizes that social interactions and the need for understanding others’ actions and intentions were critical drivers in the evolution of communication systems, supported by mirror neuron activity.

Question 26

What implications does the study of mirror neurons have for understanding language disorders?

Answer 26

Understanding the role of mirror neurons in language can provide insights into disorders such as autism, where imitation and understanding others’ intentions are often impaired.

Question 27

Q: What was a key finding regarding the use of imperative gestures in chimpanzees and human children?

Answer 27

Both chimpanzees and human children frequently used imperative gestures to request objects or actions from others.

Question 28

How did the use of declarative gestures differ between chimpanzees and human children?

Answer 28

Human children used declarative gestures more frequently than chimpanzees, indicating a higher motivation to share information and experiences.

Question 29

What does the study suggest about the social motives behind human children’s gestures? How do the social motives of chimpanzees’ gestures compare to those of human children, according to the study?

Answer 29

• Human children have a strong motivation to engage in shared attention and social interaction through declarative gestures.
• Chimpanzees’ gestures are primarily motivated by self-serving needs, such as requesting help or objects, rather than sharing information or experiences.

Question 30

What implications do the findings on the difference in gesture use between human children and chimps have for understanding the evolution of human communication?

Answer 30

The findings suggest that the social motives for communication in humans, such as sharing information and experiences, are more complex and evolved compared to those in chimpanzees.

Question 31

What role do cooperative motives play in human children’s gestural communication, according to the study?

Answer 31

Cooperative motives are significant in human children, as they often use gestures to engage others in shared activities and mutual understanding.

Question 32

Did the study find any differences in the frequency of gestures between chimpanzees and human children?

Answer 32

Yes, human children were found to use gestures more frequently than chimpanzees, particularly declarative gestures.

Question 33

What does the study suggest about the developmental trajectory of gestural communication in human children?

Answer 33

The study suggests that human children’s gestural communication develops to include more socially motivated gestures aimed at sharing and cooperating as they grow older.