Comments on: What is unique about the human arcuate fasciculus… and what does it have to do with language? http://anthropology.net/2008/03/26/what-is-unique-about-the-human-arcuate-fasciculus-and-what-does-it-have-to-do-with-language/ Beyond bones & stones Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:33:20 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Homo heidelbergensis Ear Anatomy Indicates They Could Have Heard The Same Frequency of Sounds As Modern Humans « Anthropology.net http://anthropology.net/2008/03/26/what-is-unique-about-the-human-arcuate-fasciculus-and-what-does-it-have-to-do-with-language/#comment-11714 Homo heidelbergensis Ear Anatomy Indicates They Could Have Heard The Same Frequency of Sounds As Modern Humans « Anthropology.net Sun, 13 Jul 2008 07:13:25 +0000 http://anthropologynet.wordpress.com/?p=759#comment-11714 [...] the same FOXP2 sequence as modern humans. FOXP2 is a transcription factor associated with language. Two recent papers have shown that chimpanzees and humans have very similar structures in the brain that function in processing [...] [...] the same FOXP2 sequence as modern humans. FOXP2 is a transcription factor associated with language. Two recent papers have shown that chimpanzees and humans have very similar structures in the brain that function in processing [...]

]]> By: Evolution Round Up « Neuroanthropology http://anthropology.net/2008/03/26/what-is-unique-about-the-human-arcuate-fasciculus-and-what-does-it-have-to-do-with-language/#comment-11417 Evolution Round Up « Neuroanthropology Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:15:10 +0000 http://anthropologynet.wordpress.com/?p=759#comment-11417 [...] Kamrani, What Is Unique about the Human Arcuate Fasciculus… And What Does It Have to Do with Language? White matter and gesturing unite! Good summary of research by Jim Rilling and by Jared [...] [...] Kamrani, What Is Unique about the Human Arcuate Fasciculus… And What Does It Have to Do with Language? White matter and gesturing unite! Good summary of research by Jim Rilling and by Jared [...]

]]> By: A Review of the “What does it mean to be human?” panel at the 2008 World Science Festival « Anthropology.net http://anthropology.net/2008/03/26/what-is-unique-about-the-human-arcuate-fasciculus-and-what-does-it-have-to-do-with-language/#comment-11182 A Review of the “What does it mean to be human?” panel at the 2008 World Science Festival « Anthropology.net Sun, 01 Jun 2008 19:10:04 +0000 http://anthropologynet.wordpress.com/?p=759#comment-11182 [...] some unique structural differences have been really studied in depth, such as the wiring of the human arcuate fasciculus. I will be really interested to find if they may be certain types of human-specific cells, but I [...] [...] some unique structural differences have been really studied in depth, such as the wiring of the human arcuate fasciculus. I will be really interested to find if they may be certain types of human-specific cells, but I [...]

]]> By: Scott Wolfenden http://anthropology.net/2008/03/26/what-is-unique-about-the-human-arcuate-fasciculus-and-what-does-it-have-to-do-with-language/#comment-10375 Scott Wolfenden Sat, 05 Apr 2008 18:26:15 +0000 http://anthropologynet.wordpress.com/?p=759#comment-10375 A question came up recently in a discussion with a school teacher with whom I work and who majored in Anthropology, in discussing evolution. He mentioned the subject of linguistic evolution, and while endorsing the current thinking on evolution, felt that there was a problem in justifying the typical evolution model that is presented in terms of the evolution of language, the language skills of lower primates being so much lower in capability to that of humans. How is this dilemna rectified, and is it a dilemna, as it was presented in our discussion (in school)? Is the explanation of punctuated equilibrium, the most verifiable, or realistic view of linguistic evolution, and does that provide evidence for evolution in general following a pattern of punctuated equilibrium, as some interpret the fossil evidence? Are all languages on earth, some that might be considered advanced, some might be considered less advanced, so far removed from that of chimps, as an example, or what a Neandertal or H.erectus might have had capabilities for, that linguistic evolution from those points to what humans speak today, largely a matter of conjecture? I have studied basic anthropology, and the sciences, but haven't studied linguistic anthropology deeply, so these questions might seem basic, but if there are any references or explanations in addition to this interesting piece on the Broca area, it would be appreciated, to round out my understanding on this subject. thank you. A question came up recently in a discussion with a school teacher with whom I work and who majored in Anthropology, in discussing evolution. He mentioned the subject of linguistic evolution, and while endorsing the current thinking on evolution, felt that there was a problem in justifying the typical evolution model that is presented in terms of the evolution of language, the language skills of lower primates being so much lower in capability to that of humans.

How is this dilemna rectified, and is it a dilemna, as it was presented in our discussion (in school)?

Is the explanation of punctuated equilibrium, the most verifiable, or realistic view of linguistic evolution, and does that provide evidence for evolution in general following a pattern of punctuated equilibrium, as some interpret the fossil evidence?

Are all languages on earth, some that might be considered advanced, some might be considered less advanced, so far removed from that of chimps, as an example, or what a Neandertal or H.erectus might have had capabilities for, that linguistic evolution from those points to what humans speak today, largely a matter of conjecture?

I have studied basic anthropology, and the sciences, but haven’t studied linguistic anthropology deeply, so these questions might seem basic, but if there are any references or explanations in addition to this interesting piece on the Broca area, it would be appreciated, to round out my understanding on this subject.

thank you.

]]>