From: alexandru_mg3
Message: 65405
Date: 2009-11-10
>Because a VOCAL-LEARNING system appeared in a transition period: when smaller groups needs to unite in bigger groups for time to time (for survival reasons) : this means that a VOCAL-LEARNING system appeared to enable a complex communication across some relatively large distances.....where you cannot see well, or not at all, the other groups (including their gestures)
>
>
> --- In cybalist@yahoogroups.com, "alexandru_mg3" <alexandru_mg3@> wrote:
> >
> > SO THE LANGUAGE DIDN'T EVOLVE FROM MANUAL GESTURES!
>
> How so? As I understand it, defects in the FOXP2 gene in modern humans lead to defects in syntax use, not to neuro-muscular problems in the vocal tract. And the advantages to social animals from increased communiction ability would accrue for both vocal or manual communication systems. So the data would be consistent with either a hypothesis of vocal origins only, or of a vocal system evolving from a syntax-using gestural system.
>
> Ned Smith
>