Disentangling Pantomime From Early Sign in a New Sign Language: Window Into Language Evolution Research

Area of Science:

• Linguistics
• Cognitive Science
• Language Evolution

Background:

• Pantomime is often considered a precursor to symbolic language.
• Understanding the transition from iconic gestures to arbitrary signs is crucial for language evolution research.
• Newly emerging sign languages provide a unique window into early language development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To differentiate pantomime from early symbolic signs in the nascent Sao Tome and Principe Sign Language (STPSL).
• To investigate the developmental trajectory of linguistic systematicity in a newly formed sign language.
• To explore the role of pantomime in the initial stages of sign language acquisition and its relationship with language evolution.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal study of 100 participants in daily interaction over two years.
• Analysis of sign usage, focusing on pantomime, sign amplitude, and articulation economy.
• Observation of linguistic systematicity development in a community-created sign language.

Main Results:

• A shared sign language emerged within two years among participants.
• Significant decrease in pantomime use and reduction in sign amplitude observed.
• Increase in articulation economy and overall linguistic systematicity demonstrated, indicating a continuous learning process.

Conclusions:

• The development of STPSL illustrates a continuum of language formation, not a discrete system.
• Pantomime plays a role in early sign language but is gradually replaced by more systematic and arbitrary signs.
• The findings support the cognitive capacity for symbolization and linguistic complexity expansion in human language evolution.