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

Conditions necessary for outbreak in salmonellosis, Q. Conditions Necessary...

Q. Conditions Necessary for Outbreak in salmonellosis? The food must contain or become contaminated with the Salmonella bacteria. These bacteria must be there in considerable n

Simple precautions to prevent injuries, When resheathing needles, simple pr...

When resheathing needles, simple precautions to prevent injuries are to: 1. use only one hand to scoop the cap 2. hold the sheath with a hemostat (suggested but will require

How do the golgi apparatus act, Q. How do the Golgi apparatus act and the r...

Q. How do the Golgi apparatus act and the rough endoplasmic reticulum in the production and releasing of proteins? The rough endoplasmic reticulum has in its outer membrane man

Male reproductive disorders-aplasia of epidydimis, Aplasia of epidydimis ...

Aplasia of epidydimis This condition is seen in only 1 or 2 % of young bulls and is marked by absence of one (more common) or both epididymis. Bulls having a single epidydimis

Define erythropoietin, Erythropoietin (EPO) A. acts by increasing the p...

Erythropoietin (EPO) A. acts by increasing the production of red blood cells by cells in the bone marrow. B. is secreted by peritubular interstitial cells of the kidney cort

What is total cavo pulmonary connections, What is Total Cavo Pulmonary Conn...

What is Total Cavo Pulmonary Connections (TCPC)-Lateral Tunnel Operation? Cardiopulinonary bypass is instituted by cannulation of ascending aorta, SVC innominate vein junction

Briefly explain about phase of the plasmodium life cycle, Q. To which phase...

Q. To which phase of the plasmodium life cycle do the typical chills and fever of malaria correspond? The typical fever and chills episodes of malaria correspond to the phase w

Why is it true that of the 28 chromosomes in an ovum, A species has a diplo...

A species has a diploid chromosome number of 56, WHY is it true that of the 28 chromosomes in an ovum, 14 are always paternal?

Michaelis menten, Regulation of enzymatic action equations for competitive,...

Regulation of enzymatic action equations for competitive, non-competitive, uncompetitive inhibition and mixed reaction

Chambers of heart, The ventricles are separated from each other by the inte...

The ventricles are separated from each other by the interventricular septum and the atria are separated from each other by the interatrial septum. The interior of the right atrium

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