Open AccessHow Could Language Have Evolved?
Author(s) -
Johan J. Bolhuis,
Ian Tattersall,
Noam Chomsky,
Robert C. Berwick
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
plos biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.127
H-Index - 271
eISSN - 1545-7885
pISSN - 1544-9173
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pbio.1001934
Subject(s) - biology , set (abstract data type) , language evolution , linguistics , minimalist program , cognitive science , constructed language , computer science , artificial intelligence , syntax , psychology , programming language , philosophy
How could language have evolved? What is the key innovation underlying the evolution of human language? This Essay argues that the ability to “merge” two syntactic elements uniquely explains the recentness and stability of language. [SK to check before publishing on the homepage] CM 16/7
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