Re: Le Monde articles

--- In cybalist@yahoogroups.com, glen gordon <glengordon01@...>
wrote:

Sounds simply have no inherent meaning on

> their own. They are _given_ meaning by its speakers.
> So genetics are irrelevant.
>
> I've seen no better explanation so far of the origin
> of "language" than what I concluded years ago.
>
> By "language", we tend to mean "vocal communication"
> using developed human vocal chords. This is a very
> limiting definition of "language" and would quite
> rightly disgruntle many in the global signing
> community who consider their languages to be just as
> valid as a means of communication as speech. In fact,
> they _are_.
>
> To add, investigations into the differences between
> sign and speech have shown many similarities and
> parallels. So...
>
> Doesn't it make sense that, at the same time as
> humans were beginning to walk, they started to use
> their free hands for communication? Who needs
> developed vocal chords to have a language? Koko the
> gorilla didn't. You remember Koko, don't you? All
> you need is a better-than-the-average-ape brain and
> a pair of expressive hands!
>
> There. The mystery of how language can evolve
> *without* the need for a major "genetic explosion"
> is hereby solved. Please, no more "language gene"
> or "lost Noah's Ark" crap!
>
> Ptooey :P
>
>
> = gLeN

I agree fully and completely.

Though: what is special about humans are the vocal chords.
They were sophisticated enough (like those of budgeringars) to
imitate other animals' sounds (like "grunt", further developing
morphological compounds like "disgruntle") and made an addition to
signs and the forehead.
The sounds are perhaps not foremost or even marginal in the
development of the human society of communication.
On my own priority list I would place the forehead and facial
expressions, next hands and different grunts.
For those able to hear the grunts in certain combinations, however,
it meant a practical means of communication independent of daylight
and direct attention and quickened development considerably.

Lars