OT hominids (was: Why grammar is so complex a subject)

Andreas Johansson wrote:
> Quoting R A Brown <ray@...>:
>
>
>>I would, however, question whether there was ever a time when _hominids_
>>did not have language.
>
>
> Unfortunately, the term "hominid" does not have a single, agreed-on definition.
Oh!   :=(

Too influenced by Latin 'homo' (gen. hominis) [common gender] = man (as
opposed to beast or deity), i.e. human being.

[snip]
>
> It seems to me very unlikely that early hominins - with non-sunken larynxes,
> chimp-sized brains, and probably without the elaborate neural apparatus to
> control  breathing of modern humans - could have had language.
Agreed.

> (In fact, said neural apparatus does not seem to've been in place until very
> late - even H. erectus lacks the expanded spinal cord canal to accomodate the
> extra nerves.)
>
> Since the discussion has mostly concerned Neanderthals, I however suspect you
> have some even more restricted meaning in mind.
Yes, I did.
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caeruleancentaur wrote:
[snip]
 > Search Wikipedia for "hominin."  There's a chart illustrating
 > (possible) descent lines.  Interestingly, both humans and chimpanzees
 > are hominins!

And Hominidae includes a whole lot more than just humans & chimps!

Yep - I certainly didn't mean all members Hominidae family. I guess I
meant all members of the genus Homo. As for language, I suppose it
depends on what is meant by language   ;-)

I understand that (some) social insects have sophisticated communication
systems. Would these be called language, or does language have to be
primarily vocal?

--
Ray
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