1. Evolution of Language
Tashina Nadjiwon

2. What is language?
Language is thought to be a mechanism for transmitting information within thoughts
Allows us to apply common grounds
Powerful tool for social animals

3. Language and the Brain
Lieberman believes that many aspects of language are performed by areas of the brain using more general cognitive and learning abilities
In absence of language, inner forces overpower us to create a new language
May have culturally evolved
It is a desire to communicate with each other

4. Brain has distinctive areas for processing of information
Language was built on top of existing cognitive structure
Genetic variation affects language ability

5. Speech Phillip Lieberman: larynx descended into the throat
This improved the ability to make vowel sounds

6. Lieberman’s argument is strictly evolutionary
Humans are more susceptible to choke
Still, Lieberman’s theory is correct

7. Hand to Mouth
First you need a desire to communicate before you have speech
Requires a coordinated transmitter and an attentive receiver
Giacomo Rizzolatti
Mirror cells
The cells might allow an animal to mimic a motion that it sees another animal perform in order to obtain food

8. Rizzolatti has suggested that F5 corresponds to Broca's area in the human brain
Interesting hypothesis
Complex motor control area was adapted
McGurk Effect
we obtain speech information visually

9. Conclusion Desire to communicate is strong in humans
Language provides us with a powerful tool
Natural selection plays an important role
Language has marked a turning point

10. The End
Questions?