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Revising the null model in language evolution research

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 January 2025

Svetlana Kuleshova Open the ORCID record for Svetlana Kuleshova [Opens in a new window] ,
Michael Pleyer Open the ORCID record for Michael Pleyer [Opens in a new window] ,
Johan Blomberg Open the ORCID record for Johan Blomberg [Opens in a new window] ,
Marta Sibierska Open the ORCID record for Marta Sibierska [Opens in a new window]  and
Sławomir Wacewicz Open the ORCID record for Sławomir Wacewicz [Opens in a new window]
Svetlana Kuleshova*
Affiliation:
Department of Experimental Linguistics, Centre for Language Evolution Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Toruń, Poland pleyer@umk.pl sibier@umk.pl wacewicz@umk.pl https://cles.umk.pl/ Department of Anthropology, ArScAn-Équipe AnTET (UMR 7041), CNRS, Université Paris Nanterre, Nanterre, France 40010189@parisnanterre.fr
Michael Pleyer
Affiliation:
Department of Experimental Linguistics, Centre for Language Evolution Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Toruń, Poland pleyer@umk.pl sibier@umk.pl wacewicz@umk.pl https://cles.umk.pl/
Johan Blomberg
Affiliation:
Division of Linguistics, Phonetics and Cognitive Semiotics, Center for Languages and Literature, Lund University, Lund, Sweden johan.blomberg@ling.lu.se
Marta Sibierska
Affiliation:
Department of Experimental Linguistics, Centre for Language Evolution Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Toruń, Poland pleyer@umk.pl sibier@umk.pl wacewicz@umk.pl https://cles.umk.pl/
Sławomir Wacewicz
Affiliation:
Department of Experimental Linguistics, Centre for Language Evolution Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Toruń, Poland pleyer@umk.pl sibier@umk.pl wacewicz@umk.pl https://cles.umk.pl/
*
*Corresponding author.
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Abstract

We comment on the consequences of the target article for language evolution research. We propose that the default assumption should be that of language-readiness in extinct hominins, and the integration of different types of available evidence from multiple disciplines should be used to assess the likely extent of the realization of this readiness. The role of archaeological evidence should be reconsidered.

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Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 48 , 2025 , e12
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press

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