Re: THEORY: Question about the evolution of language

Ed Heil wrote:

> And a large amount of nonverbal communication is probably hardwired into
> the human brain.  Apes do a *lot* of communicating without a
> language-like symbol-system.
Yes, a search on "mirror-neurons" brings up recent discoveries
in neuro-physiology that explain (partly) how this happens.

> I doubt that anyone would "die out" without language.  Their lives
> would be comparatively impoverished in some ways, and it would be
> fascinating to see to what degree if at all they reinvented something
> recognizable as language, but I think it's safe to assume a group of
> humans who were never taught language *would* communicate and *would*
> establish some kind of social system.
Yes. The first party who has his toy stolen will find a way to express
his/her prior right of possession and subsequent intention to pursue
damages and restoration of thief and property respectively, I imagine.

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I really should make a proper sig, but with lots and lots of disclaimers ...