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Published byAntonia Bruce Modified over 9 years ago
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Non-Human Primates and Language Kimberly Porter Martin, Ph.D.
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Primate Family Tree
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Ape Family Tree
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Primate Characteristics Larger brains than other mammals (Brain/Body ratio) Stereoscopic vision Color vision Opposible thumbs (and big toes) Prehensile grip Nails rather than claws Longer developmental period than other mammals
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Differences between Humans and Apes Language? Culture? Present Vs Absent? Capacity Vs Complexity?
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16 Features of Language 1)Uses the Vocal-auditory channel - can be done while doing other things 2)Uses broadcast transmission - need not see speaker to understand message 3)Uses directional reception - stereoscopic sound locates speaker 4)Interchangeability - each is capable of saying what any other says - not so male vs female signals in other animals
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16 Features of Language 5) Complete feedback - speaker hears self and monitors message 6) Specialization - is used for no other purpose than communication 7) Semanticity – many complex symbols tied to exact meanings 8) Arbitrariness - no intrinsic relationship between symbols and their meanings
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16 Features of Language 9) Discreteness - no continuous sounds (eg. sirens) 10) Displacement - can talk about the past, or about things not present spatially 11) Open system - can make unique new statements and be understood 12) Duality of patterning - sound and meaning are linked
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16 Features of Language 13) Cultural transmission - no genetic inheritance of specific rules/sounds/meanings 14) Prevarication - can lie - most animals cannot 15) Reflexiveness - we use language to discuss language 16) Learnability - can learn multiple language
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Features of Culture Requires abstract thinking Must be learned/acquired Allows flexibility and innovation Needs long developmental period for learning Requires larger and more complex brains
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