(4) The city was destructed by the enemy. The symbolic nature of language (1) Peter was hit by a car. The symbolic nature of language Where does grammar come from? The symbolic nature of language What are the cognitive prerequisites for understanding symbols? In order to understand/use symbols I need to under-stand that other people are mental beings like I am. The ability to combine symbols to larger units.
Language evolution Many researchers agree that language evolution / development has two important cognitive prerequisites: Language evolution How did language (notably grammar) evolve? Language evolution FOXP2 seems to play an important role in controlling motor movement, but motor movement has nothing to do with language and cognition. Language evolution ‘A Language Gene is Identified.’ The FOXP2 gene in language development Language evolution People with a defective FOXP2 gene are unable to select and produce the fine movements with the tongue and lips that are necessary to speak clearly. Language evolution What are the genetic prerequisites for language? Language evolution Where does language come from? Language evolution Attempts at teaching nonhuman primates language have failed. Language evolution Human beings are the only species with language. Mechanisms of Language Change Holger Diessel University of Jena
