The Dissenter
#1017 Erica Cartmill: The Evolution of Ape Gestures and Human Language
Nov 8, 2024
Dr. Erica Cartmill, a Professor at Indiana University, delves into the fascinating evolution of gestures and their link to human language. She explores the complexities of ape communication, emphasizing how gestures extend beyond hands, involving various body parts. The discussion reveals the intentionality behind ape gestures and their potential role in early human communication. Cartmill highlights how gestures aid cognitive processes and learning, showing their significance in both human and non-human interactions. Join the exploration of this intricate dance of communication!
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Quick takeaways
- Gestures, essential for communication across species, can be traced back 12 to 13 million years to our shared ancestors with great apes.
- Intentionality in ape gestures is assessed through specific criteria, highlighting their communicative purpose compared to reflexive actions.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Gestures
Gestures are a fundamental form of communication found across the animal kingdom, with human-like gestures tracing back at least 12 to 13 million years to our common ancestors with great apes. While many animals use bodily movements to convey messages, humans and some apes utilize gestures in more intentional and complex ways. Different animals display unique forms of communication, such as the elaborate wing displays of birds or choreographed foot movements in blue-footed boobies. Gestures among great apes, including chimpanzees and bonobos, exhibit similarities to those of humans, indicating a shared evolutionary background and a sophisticated level of communicative abilities.
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