Language: Its Origin and Ongoing Evolution

Authors

Ilia Markov
Kseniia Kharitonova
Elena L Grigorenko

Language

English

Publication Date

3-28-2023

Journal

Journal of Intelligence

DOI

10.3390/jintelligence11040061

PMID

37103246

PMCID

PMC10142271

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

3-28-2023

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Abstract

With the present paper, we sought to use research findings to illustrate the following thesis: the evolution of language follows the principles of human evolution. We argued that language does not exist for its own sake, it is one of a multitude of skills that developed to achieve a shared communicative goal, and all its features are reflective of this. Ongoing emerging language adaptations strive to better fit the present state of the human species. Theories of language have evolved from a single-modality to multimodal, from human-specific to usage-based and goal-driven. We proposed that language should be viewed as a multitude of communication techniques that have developed and are developing in response to selective pressure. The precise nature of language is shaped by the needs of the species (arguably, uniquely H. sapiens) utilizing it, and the emergence of new situational adaptations, as well as new forms and types of human language, demonstrates that language includes an act driven by a communicative goal. This article serves as an overview of the current state of psycholinguistic research on the topic of language evolution.

Keywords

communication, evolution, language

Published Open-Access

yes

Recommended Citation

Ilia Markov, Kseniia Kharitonova, and Elena L Grigorenko, "Language: Its Origin and Ongoing Evolution" (2023). Faculty and Staff Publications. 5215.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/baylor_docs/5215