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Biological constraints and evolu1on of language: a hypothesis on the exapta1on
of human vocal structures
Alessandra Falzone, Alessandra Anastasi, Antonino Pennisi
Dept. of Cogni7ve Sciences University of Messina
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Biological evolution
Adaptation
Structure 1
Structure 2
Structure n
Exaptation
Structure 1
Function 1 Function 2 Function n
Cultural evolution
Function 1
Social adaptation
Function 2
Evolution of Sintax
Evolution of Semantics
Evolution of Pragmatics
Evolution of Linguistic function n.
Function n
Biological evolution
Adaptation
Structure 1
Biological constraints
Structure 2Social
Adaptation
Exaptation
Structure 1
Function 1 Function n
Evolution of Sintax
Evolution of Semantics
Evolution of Pragmatics
Evolution of Linguistic function n.
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Possible = scolopendra with an odd number of pairs of feet
scolopendra
Impossible = scolopendra with an even number of pairs of feet
Constraints: What are they?
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Morphological con7nuity
Singing primates Gamba, M. (2014), Human speech to primate vocaliza3ons and the way back, (Codisco, 2013)
Double network of language Pennisi, A. (2006), Cogni3ve sciences of language, (Il Mulino, 2006)
Cogni7ve species-‐specificity
Paleoanthropological evidences
Ethological species-‐specificity
Auditory-‐vocal technology Pennisi, A.-‐ Falzone, A. (2014), Residuals of Intelligent Design in contemporary theories about language nature and origins (“HumanaMente”, 2014)
Biological constraints of language
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SVT: first func1on and exapta1on -‐ Size Body Exaggera7on Hyphotesis (Fitch 2010);
-‐ Protec7ng the breathing apparatus (Aiello 1996) and holding of intrathoracic pressure (“valvular larynx”-‐ Mithen 2006); -‐ Oral adapta7ons for diving and swallowing soU and slippery foods (Verhaegen 2013).
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Exapta1on for language: peripheral and central constraints
Con7nuous modula7on of formants and speech segmenta7on (Lieberman Ph. 2006, Gamba 2012); Muscles fibers (slow tonic fiber of mylohioid and thyroaritenoid muscles) (Mu et al. 2004; Sherwood et al. 2005) Brain fine coordina7on of breath, SVT with func7onal aspects (syntax, seman7cs, pragma7cs) (Dele7s et al. 2014; Espadaler et al. 2012; Jurgens, 2002 )
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Exapta1on for language: peripheral and central constraints
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Exapta1on for language: peripheral and central constraints
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Exapta1on for language: peripheral and central constraints
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What does mean being speech-‐ready ?
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GRAZIE!