The Origins of Language

by Barbara J. King

"In The Origins of Language, ten scientists explore some of the core issues in the study of language origins: the linguistic and behavioral precursors to language in nonhuman primates and how to uncover them; the degree to which primate vocal and gestural communication unfolds according to experience and interaction as opposed to biologically determined structures or processes; and how events during ontogeny contribute to the development of language. Including a general overview of language-origins theories, empirical case studies on nonhuman primates, hominids, and humans, and examinations of specific processes in language evolution, the presentations connect a variety of disciplinary approaches in a sophisticated theoretical framework. Together, they point the way to future study of nonhuman primate communication and cognition that will advance our understanding of how human language developed."--BOOK JACKET.