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Word-sentences and an interaction-based account of language evolution
1Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan bipin@cc.tuat.ac.jp.
The Behavioral and Brain Sciences
|February 5, 2008
Summary
An interaction-based approach reveals that the object-attribute ontology developed late in language evolution. Focusing solely on predicate-argument structures overlooks crucial early language development stages.
Area of Science:
- Linguistics
- Evolutionary Biology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- The evolution of language is a complex field with various theoretical approaches.
- Understanding early language development is key to deciphering its origins.
- Previous models have focused on specific linguistic structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the evolution of language from an interaction-based perspective.
- To investigate the developmental timeline of the object-attribute ontology.
- To evaluate the scope of predicate-argument focused models in early language evolution.
Main Methods:
- Examining an interaction-based framework for language evolution.
- Analyzing the role of word-sentences in early linguistic development.
- Comparing findings with existing theories, such as Hurford's arguments.
Main Results:
- The object-attribute ontology emerges at a significantly later stage in language evolution.
- Early language development stages are characterized by different structures than predicate-argument systems.
- An interaction-based approach highlights aspects missed by predicate-argument focused models.
Conclusions:
- Language evolution is not solely driven by predicate-argument structures.
- The object-attribute ontology is a relatively late development in linguistic history.
- Further research should incorporate interaction-based models to fully understand early language evolution.
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