The Gestural Theory of Language Origins

Autor/in	Armstrong, David F.
Titel	The Gestural Theory of Language Origins
Quelle	In: Sign Language Studies, 8 (2008) 3, S.289-314 (26 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0302-1475
Schlagwörter	Nonverbal Communication; Deafness; Semiotics; Linguistic Theory; Speech Communication; Diachronic Linguistics; Language Styles; Language Research; Neurology; Animals; Foreign Countries; Cognitive Processes; Africa + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Non-verbal communication; Nonverbale Kommunikation; Gehörlosigkeit; Taubstummheit; Semiotik; Linguistische Theorie; Linguistics; Diachronische Sprachbetrachtung; Historische Linguistik; Sprachstil; Sprachforschung; Neurologie; Animal; Tier; Tiere; Ausland; Cognitive process; Kognitiver Prozess; Afrika
Abstract	The idea that iconic visible gesture had something to do with the origin of language, particularly speech, is a frequent element in speculation about this phenomenon and appears early in its history. Socrates hypothesizes about the origins of Greek words in Plato's satirical dialogue, "Cratylus", and his speculation includes a possible role for sound based iconicity as well as for the visual gestures employed by the deaf. Plato's use of satire to broach this topic also points to the fine line between the sublime and the ridiculous that has continued to be a hallmark of this sort of speculation. This paper will present recent evidence supporting the idea that language first arose as visible gesture. This evidence is culled from several lines of research, including research on the neurological underpinnings of gesture, i.e., research on mirror neurons; new research on the gestural communication of African apes; research on the cognitive basis of the signed languages of the deaf; and research on the emergence of new signed languages. (As Provided).
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Update	2017/4/10