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Toward the Language-Ready Brain: Biological Evolution and Primate Comparisons.

Michael A Arbib1

  • 1Computer Science, Neuroscience and the ABLE Project (Action, Brain, Language, Evolution), University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA. arbib@usc.edu.

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Summary
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The human brain evolved to be language-ready, with protolanguages existing before complex language developed through cultural evolution. Computational modeling and neurolinguistics research are key to understanding language evolution.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Neuroscience
  • Linguistics

Background:

  • The evolution of human language capacity remains a complex scientific question.
  • Understanding the interplay between brain evolution, behavior, and social interaction is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore how the human brain evolved for language development, use, and acquisition.
  • To investigate how studying primates and humans informs the evolutionary quest for language.
  • To determine the role of computational modeling in advancing language evolution studies.

Main Methods:

  • Hypothesizing a 'language-ready' brain with protolanguages that evolved into full languages via cultural evolution.
  • Utilizing the mirror system hypothesis as a framework for analyzing subhypotheses.
  • Employing computational modeling to understand the role of mirror neurons in conjunction with other neural systems.

Main Results:

  • Proposes that early humans possessed protolanguages, with full language emerging through cultural evolution in specific social niches.
  • Highlights the mirror system hypothesis as an evolving framework, emphasizing the need for integration of subhypotheses.
  • Stresses that computational modeling is essential for understanding mirror neuron function within broader neural networks.

Conclusions:

  • The evolution of language required both biological readiness and a culturally constructed niche.
  • Further research in neurolinguistics is needed to characterize evolved language capacities, including sign language and production.
  • Integrating visuomotor interaction with physical and social environments is vital for a comprehensive theory of language evolution.