Symbolising and language skills, Biology

Assignment Help:

Language, a powerful tool for communication should have played a very important part in the evolutionary history of human species. Two relevant questions that could be asked of human language in an evolutionary context are : i) when did it originate and ii) what were the selection pressures that led to its development as a powerful facility for the exchange of ideas? There cannot be definitive answers for either of these questions. Yet we can do some knowledgeable speculations.

One of the inan's major adaptations is symbolic thinking and its expression through a symbolic language. Language is the foundation of human culture and this adaptation has distinguished man from other animals and in fact has made him superior to them. Other organisms, however, can also learn a few things, for instance birds can learn to do new things with their beaks by observing another bird. A chimpanzee can put together two sticks to make a long one to obtain a fruit placed out of its reach. But even here the animal can do this only if all the elements are together in one place. In other words, the chimpanzee may not be able to think and go in search of the stick in order to obtain fruit. But recent studies have indeed shown  the chimpanzees, our closest relatives do have the ability to symbolise to some degree.

It is a fact that ability to symbolise has made man enter a new adaptive zone. Also, it was big jump for man from the world of symbolising to a world of words. The development of a spoken language should have been a response to the direct stimuli from the external environment. We earlier raised a question regarding the time-of emergence of the language. Unfortunately the products of language facility cannot enter into the fossil record. Therefore, we have to deal indirectly with the question of when the facility arose. Human brain as distinct from those of other animals provides a reasonable answer to this question. Also, a more careful analysis of the tools and art objects, the horninid products, do indicate of the type of cognitive capabilities necessary for spoken language.


Related Discussions:- Symbolising and language skills

Relate fibro-osseous retention and osseointegration, Fibro-osseous Retenti...

Fibro-osseous Retention V/S Osseointegration Fibro-osseous retention is the tissue to implant contact interposition of the healthy, dense collagenous tissue between the implant

Lipoproteins, LIPOPROTEINS They are complex biomolecules formed of -...

LIPOPROTEINS They are complex biomolecules formed of - T riglycerides, Phospholipids, Cholesterol and Proteins. Lipoproteins are of four types - Chylomicrons

How can the fermentation explain the origin of muscle cramps, How can the k...

How can the knowledge about fermentation explain the origin of muscle cramps and pains after intense physical exertion? A typical fermentation process because of oxygen scarcit

Emulsion products, E m u l s io n products Ground meat products s...

E m u l s io n products Ground meat products such as sausages, patties and luncheon meats are emulsion based products and their quality depends upon the ability of lean m

Are all pneumonias caused by bacteria, Q. Are all pneumonias caused by bact...

Q. Are all pneumonias caused by bacteria? The Pneumonia is the generic name of inflammation of the lungs. Moreover bacterial pneumonias, there are pneumonias caused by fungi, v

Explain the activity of decomposers, Why are producers the first trophic le...

Why are producers the first trophic level to advantage from the activity of decomposers? Decomposers return nutrients in dead tissues and wastes to the soil or water; producers

Bioenergetics, Energy Cycle  of Living Being Source of energy :All  mat...

Energy Cycle  of Living Being Source of energy :All  matter  locks  energy in the  from of   bonds  between component  molecules and   atoms. This  energy is the chemical  ener

Explain type 2 diabetes mellitus, Q. Explain Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus? ...

Q. Explain Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus? It is the most common form of diabetes accounting for 90-95% of patients with diabetes. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus was previously called as N

Problems with untreated/ammoniated crop residues, Problems with untreated/a...

Problems with untreated/ammoniated crop residues Besides the low energy and protein contents, crop residues generally contain low content of minerals such as Calcium, Phosphor

What is meant by cellular secretion, What is meant by cellular secretion? ...

What is meant by cellular secretion? Cell secretion is the elimination to the exterior of substances formed by the cell (for instance, hormones, mucus, sweat, etc.)

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd