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

From:R A Brown <ray@...>
Date:Saturday, December 31, 2005, 17:33
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. ================================= 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 ================================== ray@carolandray.plus.com http://www.carolandray.plus.com ================================== MAKE POVERTY HISTORY

Replies

Andreas Johansson <andjo@...>
Jefferson Wilson <jeffwilson63@...>OT hominids