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The human language faculty: genetically determined? An approach to testable hypotheses

|January 1, 1994

Summary

Researchers debate the evolutionary origins of human language. New gene mapping and studies of Creole and Sign Languages may test the innateness hypothesis for language faculty.

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Area of Science:

Linguistics
Evolutionary Biology
Genetics

Background:

Debate exists regarding the evolutionary basis of human language.
Opposition to a genetically determined universal grammar persists.
Many linguists accept the innate nature of language faculty, using "new grammar" frameworks.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore testable hypotheses for the evolutionary status of human language capacity.
To investigate the potential of dyslexia, Creole languages, and sign languages as models.

Main Methods:

Proposes utilizing advanced gene mapping to test hypotheses related to language faculty.
Suggests examining Creole languages and sign languages for insights into language evolution.

Main Results:

Dyslexia presents a potential avenue for testing genetic hypotheses of language.
Creole and sign languages may offer further testable hypotheses.

Conclusions:

The study proposes novel, empirically testable hypotheses for the evolution of human language.
Interdisciplinary approaches combining genetics, linguistics, and the study of diverse language forms are promising.

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