Animal Communication and Human Language: An overview

مرکز و کتابخانه مطالعات اسلامی به زبان های اروپایی

منو

" Animal Communication and Human Language: An overview "
Barón Birchenall, Leonardo

Document Type	:	AL
Record Number	:	936113
Doc. No	:	LA3b7977qr
Language of Document	:	English
Main Entry	:	Barón Birchenall, Leonardo
Title & Author	:	Animal Communication and Human Language: An overview [Article]\ Barón Birchenall, Leonardo
Title of Periodical	:	International Journal of Comparative Psychology
Volume/ Issue Number	:	29
Date	:	2016
Abstract	:	Comparative research has proven to be a fruitful field of study on the ontogenetic and phylogenetic evolution of language, and on the cognitive capacities unique to humans or shared with other animals. The degree of continuity between components of human language and non-human animal communication systems, as well as the existence of a core factor of language, are polemic subjects at present. In this article, we offer an overview of the research on animal communication, comparing the resulting data with the current knowledge on human language development. We try to summarize what is currently known about “language abilities” in multiple animals, and compare those facts to what is known about human language. The aim of the article is to provide an introduction to this particular topic, presenting the different sides of the arguments when possible. A special reference is made to the question of syntactic recursion as the main component of language, allegedly absent among non-human animals. We conclude that the current state of knowledge supports the existence of a certain degree of continuity between different aspects of animal communication and human language, including the syntactic domain.