Language and Speech Evolution Notes

Introduction to Language Evolution

  • The study of language evolution.

Early Speech Anatomy

  • The question of when humans began to speak is explored.
  • The appearance of anatomy for modern speech is examined.
  • The provided date is an underestimate of the true first appearance of language.

Hyoid Bone and Speech Production

  • The hyoid bone's importance in speech.
  • Comparison of hyoid bone and larynx positions in different species:
    • Orangutan
    • Chimpanzee
    • Human

Quantal Theory of Speech Production (QTS)

  • The diversity of human languages is mentioned.
  • The universality of certain stop consonants (/p/, /t/, /k/) and vowels (/a/, /i/, /u/) across almost all languages.
  • Explanation of why languages aren't more different.
  • QTS suggests some sounds are inherently easier to produce and understand.
  • Supralaryngeal Vocal Tract (SVT) dimensions are illustrated.
  • Radiographs showing landmarks and planes used in SVT analysis are presented.

Symbolic Reference

  • Symbolic reference, a communication system, is uniquely human.
  • Charles Peirce's Types of Signs:
    • Icon: Sign linked to the referent by similarity.
    • Index: Sign linked to the referent by association.
    • Symbol: Sign linked to the referent by convention alone.

Examples of Icon, Index and Symbol

  • Examples are given to differentiate icon, index, and symbol