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32 - How Human Language Arose

from Part VI - Life and Language, Here and Beyond

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 September 2023

Raymond Hickey
Raymond Hickey
Affiliation:
University of Limerick
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Summary

There is probably no one reason for the rise of language but rather an ensemble of factors which all played a role in the gradual increase in sophistication from simple noises to the flexible system of communication we know today. Among linguists there is much discussion not only of the triggers for language but also of the steps involved and the manner in which Homo sapiens moved from one stage in language development to the next. As has been stated at several points in this book, one has to account not only for the structures of the attested languages across the world but also for the rise of the language faculty, internal to our brains, which makes languages possible in the first place.

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Life and Language Beyond Earth , pp. 503 - 564
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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  • How Human Language Arose
  • Raymond Hickey, University of Limerick
  • Book: Life and Language Beyond Earth
  • Online publication: 16 September 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009229272.033
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  • How Human Language Arose
  • Raymond Hickey, University of Limerick
  • Book: Life and Language Beyond Earth
  • Online publication: 16 September 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009229272.033
Available formats
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To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • How Human Language Arose
  • Raymond Hickey, University of Limerick
  • Book: Life and Language Beyond Earth
  • Online publication: 16 September 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009229272.033
Available formats
×