Playing with language, creating complexity: Has play contributed to the evolution of complex language?
Neanderthals
childhood
language development
self-domestication
symbolism
Journal
Evolutionary anthropology
ISSN: 1520-6505
Titre abrégé: Evol Anthropol
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 9306331
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Jan 2020
Jan 2020
Historique:
received:
04
09
2018
revised:
16
07
2019
accepted:
23
10
2019
pubmed:
6
12
2019
medline:
24
3
2020
entrez:
6
12
2019
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
We argue that enhanced play may have contributed to the emergence of complex language systems in modern humans (Homo sapiens). To support this idea, we first discuss evidence for an expansion of playing behavior connected to the extended childhood of modern human children, and the potential of this period for the transmission of complex cultural traits, including language. We then link two of the most important functions of play-exploration and innovation-to the potential for cumulative cultural evolution in general and for the emergence of complex language in particular. If correct, the shorter childhood of Neanderthals-involving restrictions on time to experiment and innovate-may have restricted their language (and other symbolic) system/s. Consequently, fully investigating the role that play may have had in the transmission of language and the development of symbolic cultures in both modern humans and Neanderthals provides a new avenue of research for Paleolithic archaeology and related disciplines.
Types de publication
Historical Article
Journal Article
Review
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
29-40Subventions
Organisme : Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness
ID : FFI2016-78034-C2-2-P
Informations de copyright
© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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