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Neural preconditions for proto-language

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 February 2010

James R. Hurford
Affiliation:
Department of Linguistics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9LL, Scotland, United Kingdom, jim@ling.ed.ac.uk
Simon Kirby
Affiliation:
Department of Linguistics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9LL, Scotland, United Kingdom, jim@ling.ed.ac.uk

Abstract

Representation must be prior to communication in evolution. Wilkins & Wakefield's target article gives the impression that communicative pressures play a secondary role. We suggest that their evolutionary precursor is compatible with protolanguage rather than language itself. The difference between these two communicative systems should not be underestimated: only the former can be trivially reappropriated from a representational system.

Information

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995

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