Language Evolution, Symbolic Cognition, Language Acquisition, Brain Development, Origin of the Human Mind | Terrence Deacon | 20
Apr 29, 2021
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Biological anthropologist and cognitive scientist Terrence Deacon discusses language evolution, symbolic cognition, brain development, and the origin of the human mind in a conversation focusing on ideas from his book 'The Symbolic Species: The Co-Evolution of Language and the Brain.' Topics include the difference between human language and animal communication, early symbolic communication resembling ritualistic behaviors, the parallels between language and mathematics, brain size and body size relationship in mammals, the role of the prefrontal cortex in executive functions, and the evolution of language in Neanderthals.
Language acquisition involves building an infrastructure of icons and indices before symbolic interpretation.
Symbolic communication in humans differs from animal communication due to its conventional and arbitrary nature.
The evolution of language involved the recruitment and adaptation of existing brain structures.
The brain's capacity for symbolic representation contributes to the flexibility and complexity of human language.
The development of tool use and increased cooperation likely led to the development of language-like communication in early humans.
Deep dives
Developmental aspects of language acquisition in children
Language acquisition in children involves a complex process of building an infrastructure of icons and indices before moving on to symbolic interpretation. This process starts early in development, during a time of great neuroplasticity, and adapts to human learnability. Languages themselves have adapted to be learnable at a younger age, taking advantage of the brain's ability to acquire language during this critical period. Children's minds do not innately embody language structures, but languages embody the predispositions of children's minds.
The evolution of symbolic communication
The origins of language and symbolic communication can be traced back to the development of symbolic cognition, which allowed for the representation of things in the world, beliefs, and intentions. Symbolic communication in humans differs from other forms of animal communication, as it is characterized by its conventional and arbitrary nature. Language refers to things in the world in a different way, allowing for communication about the past, future, and non-existent entities. The development of symbolism and the infrastructure of icons and indices preceded the evolution of language in the human lineage.
The co-evolution of language and the human brain
The human brain has not evolved specific structures for language. Instead, the evolution of language involved the recruitment and adaptation of existing brain structures to serve linguistic functions. Neural Darwinism, the process of competition and selection among neuronal populations, played a role in the development of the brain's capacity for symbolic representation. The brain's development is influenced by the relative size of the brain and body, as well as the timing and connectivity of neural circuits formed during development. Human brains exhibit unique developmental patterns that contribute to the acquisition and processing of language.
The advantages and limitations of human language
The flexibility and complexity of human language are a result of the brain's capacity for symbolic representation. Humans excel in acquiring and using language due to the selectivity and biases of neural development. However, the ability to acquire and use language comes at a cost. Humans may have limitations in other cognitive domains due to the emphasis placed on language development. Neuroplasticity and the critical period for language acquisition support the early learning of language in children, further highlighting the adaptability of the human brain in acquiring this unique skill.
Cooperation and Tool Use in Human Evolution
Around 1.8 million years ago, there was a transition in human evolution marked by the development of tool use and increased cooperation in obtaining food. This required the ability to communicate effectively and likely led to the development of language-like communication. This transition coincided with changes in brain size, body size, and sexual dimorphism. The ability to cooperate and communicate allowed early humans to succeed in scavenging and butchering activities, leading to increased reliance on language-like communication.
Neanderthals and Symbolic Abilities
Contrary to earlier perceptions, evidence suggests that Neanderthals had the capacity for symbolic thinking and language similar to anatomically modern humans. Comparative studies of brain size, body size, and developmental processes suggest that Neanderthals were on par with modern humans in terms of symbolic abilities. Genetic research has also revealed that Neanderthals possessed a key gene associated with language production. These findings challenge previous notions that Neanderthals were intellectually inferior.
The Influence of Technology on Language Evolution
Given the rapid advancements in technology, it is difficult to predict the long-term effects on human language evolution. However, over hundreds or thousands of generations, certain changes in language use and abilities could potentially occur. Increased reliance on technology for communication, such as social media apps and iconographic modes of communication, may offload certain mnemonic strategies. Additionally, changes in the way language is written and transmitted, such as the shift from logographic to phonetic alphabets, have historically influenced language cognition and processing. While the impact of technology on language evolution remains uncertain, it is vital to consider the potential long-term effects on language abilities.
Evolutionary Flexibility and Adaptation
Human language and cognition have shown remarkable flexibility and adaptability throughout evolution. As technology continues to shape our communication and cognitive practices, it is important to recognize that our brains have the capacity to adapt and respond to new modes of communication. Evolutionary processes, which span hundreds of generations, will ultimately determine how human language and cognitive abilities evolve in response to technological advancements.
Emergence of Emojis and the Future of Communication
Emojis have evolved as logographic symbols that directly refer to something, but now we're using them in a more indirect way. This transformation raises questions about what the future holds for communication. With the internet, we have offloaded a lot of our knowledge into the digital space, similar to how language and culture are passed on in a social group. This reliance on external sources like smartphones and the internet has made us more interconnected and dependent on these technologies. It suggests a shift towards a superorganism or a more distributed mind. The role of artificial intelligence in augmenting this distributed cognition is also discussed, with the potential for AI to assist in linking our collective knowledge and helping us navigate this evolving communication landscape.
The Limitations of Artificial Intelligence in Language Comprehension
Current machine intelligence programs lack symbolic capacity, even though they can parse and construct sentences. These systems rely on large corpora to capture statistical relationships between words and lack true comprehension. In contrast, human children acquire language through symbolic representation and can grasp new words with minimal exposure. Writing, compared to speaking, requires more precise grammar and syntax as it lacks the pragmatic context present in spoken communication. The limitations of current machine intelligence highlight the need to revisit the distinction between iconic, indexical, and symbolic reference. By incorporating symbolic representation and understanding the difference it makes, we can potentially develop fundamentally different approaches to artificial intelligence and redefine our understanding of language and cognition.
Nick talks to biological anthropologist and cognitive scientist, Terrence Deacon. The conversation focuses on ideas from Terrence's book, "The Symbolic Species: The Co-Evolution of Language and the Brain." They spend nearly three hours talking about the origins of language. Topics include: what is language and how does it differ from animal communication? How do children acquire language so easily at a young age? What is symbolic cognition, how is it different from other forms of cognition, and how did this unlock our ability to evolve language?
See my other conversation with Terrence Deacon, "Purpose, Value, Evolution, Consciousness, Sentience, Life & Emergence of Mind From Matter"
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