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Genetic Lingo

Genetic Lingo

Higher Mental Functions of the Brain: Language

Higher Mental Functions of the Brain: Language

Language is a system of communication that allows the expression of thoughts, ideas, and feelings. The brain processes language in both hemispheres.
Language formation and comprehension take place in the dominant hemisphere. The dominant hemisphere is responsible for understanding the meaning of spoken, written, or sign language, as well as the ability to communicate. For most people, the left hemisphere is the dominant one. The right hemisphere, then, gives tone and emotional context to the...

Language

Language

Language is a unique communication system that uses words and systematic rules to organize and transmit information. Unlike other forms of communication, which may involve postures, movements, odors, or vocalizations, language relies on symbols and grammar. This makes human communication distinct from that of other species, who also communicate but do not use language in the same way humans do.
Corballis and Suddendorf (2007) and Tomasello and Rakoczy (2003) highlight the role of language in...

Components of Language

Components of Language

Language, whether spoken, signed, or written, consists of specific components: lexicon and grammar. The lexicon is the vocabulary of a language, comprising its words. Grammar is the set of rules used to convey meaning through the lexicon. For example, English grammar adds “-ed” to most verbs to indicate past tense. Words are formed by combining phonemes, which are the basic sound units of a language. Different languages have different sets of phonemes (e.g., “ah” vs. “eh”). Phonemes combine to...

Language Development

Language Development

Children master language quickly and with relative ease, supported by both biological predisposition and reinforcement. B. F. Skinner (1957) proposed that language is learned through reinforcement, while Noam Chomsky (1965) argued that language acquisition mechanisms are biologically determined.
The critical period for language acquisition suggests that the ability to acquire language is at its peak early in life. As people age, this proficiency decreases. Language development begins very...

Language and Cognition

Language and Cognition

Language serves as a bridge between ideas and communication, influencing how individuals perceive and interact with the world. Psychologists have long debated whether language shapes thought or vice versa. This discussion gained grip with Edward Sapir and Benjamin Lee Whorf in the 1940s, who proposed that language determines thought, a concept known as linguistic determinism. They suggested that the vocabulary and structure of a language influence how its speakers think and perceive reality.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 29, 2026

Comparing the Frequency Effect Between the Lexical Decision and Naming Tasks in Chinese

Comparing the Frequency Effect Between the Lexical Decision and Naming Tasks in Chinese

Published on: April 1, 2016

Language evolution: semantic combinations in primate calls.

Kate Arnold¹, Klaus Zuberbühler

¹School of Psychology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9JP, UK.

|May 20, 2006

Summary

Putty-nosed monkeys combine distinct vocalizations into meaningful call sequences. This suggests that non-human primates possess a basic form of syntax, offering insights into language evolution.

Area of Science:

Primate communication
Evolutionary linguistics
Animal behavior

Background:

Syntax is a defining feature of human language, but its evolutionary origins remain unclear.
Understanding the precursors to syntax in non-human primates can shed light on language evolution.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate whether non-human primates can combine vocalizations into meaningful sequences.
To explore the potential for basic syntactic structures in primate communication.

Main Methods:

Observing free-ranging putty-nosed monkeys in their natural habitat.
Analyzing the vocalizations and correlating them with specific external events.
Identifying patterns in call combinations and their associated meanings.

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Memorization-Based Training and Testing Paradigm for Robust Vocal Identity Recognition in Expressive Speech Using Event-Related Potentials Analysis

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Last Updated: Jun 29, 2026

Comparing the Frequency Effect Between the Lexical Decision and Naming Tasks in Chinese

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Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) of Wernicke's and Broca's Areas in Studies of Language Learning and Word Acquisition

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Published on: July 13, 2019

Memorization-Based Training and Testing Paradigm for Robust Vocal Identity Recognition in Expressive Speech Using Event-Related Potentials Analysis

Memorization-Based Training and Testing Paradigm for Robust Vocal Identity Recognition in Expressive Speech Using Event-Related Potentials Analysis

Published on: August 9, 2024

Main Results:

Putty-nosed monkeys combine two distinct vocalizations into varied call sequences.
These call sequences are specifically linked to external events, such as predator presence or group movement.
The combination of calls results in sequences with distinct meanings.

Conclusions:

Non-human primates can produce higher-order call sequences by combining vocalizations.
This finding suggests a rudimentary form of syntax in primate communication.
The study provides evidence for the evolutionary roots of syntactic abilities.