Strange how we still cannot agree on the origins of language.
The authors have just brought out a new book on the evolution of language: The language game. They argue that language originated as a sort of cultural joint venture between people. They compare it to playing charades. Of course, the game doesn’t just happen all at once and suddenly there is language. Instead, the complexity of the charade, or language, developed over tens of thousands of years. Conversely, they play down the importance of the underlying neurophysiology. What sometimes gets forgotten in these debates is in what form thought takes place. It is doubtful that the brain thinks in everyday language. Yet language expresses thought. Maybe we should start with how thought works rather than language.
Link to article: https://zephr.newscientist.com/article/mg25333792-600-how-language-evolved-a-new-idea-suggests-its-all-just-a-game/
You may also like to browse other Language posts: https://www.thesentientrobot.com/category/language/
