Paper 1

Joseph Galbato

Span 3210

Stuckwisch

4 de septiembre de 2015

The Origins of Language

According to James R. Hurford from Oxford University, the origins of language started with the hominid species. Different forms of communication depended on geographical placement and migration patterns. Hurford argues that language formed over a long period of time, in an evolutionary process.

Hurford believes that language was used to connect people, and create social structures. Altruism is a strong argument for the need to communicate. People started to realize that societies were more successful when people are trying to protect each other and not only worry about "survival of the fittest." One interesting point that Hurford makes is that altruism in nonhuman groups is almost nonexistent. Language helps to enable this very human trait. In fact, many animals have structured information about the world around them, but humans are the only species that have created a way to externalize this information about their surroundings in public messages.

A physical trait that should be noted is the human vocal tract. The shape of the larynx in a human is very unique. The shape allows humans to make different sounds for vowels. Hurford states that language most likely started as minimal syllable sounds, and evolved as the need for communication increased. Hurford describes the ongoing struggle between vocabulary development and thought. Hurford believes language development is a work in progress, and the conditions of the environment influence productivity.

Works Cited

Hurford, James R. "The Origins of Language: A Slim Guide." Project MUSE. Linguistic Society of America, June 2015. Web. 3 Sept. 2015.