The origins of language

Language
1. signs
2. system of symbols
  1. Levels of organization
    1. Phonetics
    2. Syntax
    3. Semantics
How did we get from animal vocalization (barks, howls, calls...) to human language?
1. At the very beginnings of the genus Homo. 125,000 years ago
Theories about the origins of language
1. 5. The ding-dong theory
  1. Max Muller
    1. mysterious correspondence between sounds and meanings.
  2. High front vowels
    1. In many languages
  3. Compare
    1. Itsy bitsy teeny weeny with moon
      1. Sound symbolism.
2. 1. The mama theory
  1. Easiest syllables
    1. To significant objects
3. 2. The ta-ta theory.
  1. Derived from gestures
4. 3. The bow-wow theory
  1. Imitation of sound
    1. Onomatopoeia
5. 4. The pooh-pooh theory
  1. Began with h interjections
    1. Instinctive
    2. Emotive
6. 6. The yo-he-ho theory
  1. Rhythmic chants
  2. Heavy work (heave-ho!)
  3. Words as cut, break, crush, strike...
7. 7. The sing-song theory
  1. Danish Linguist Jesperson
    1. Laughter
    2. Cooing
    3. Courtship
    4. First word
      1. Long
      2. Musical
8. 8. The hey you! theory
  1. Revesz
    1. Interpersonal contact
      1. help me!
      2. I´m with you!
      3. Here I am!
9. 9. The hocus pocus theory.
  1. Language may have some roots in a sort of magical or religious aspect from our ancestors.
10. 10. The eureka! theory
  1. Arbitrary sounds
    1. To mean certain things
  2. To reconstruct earlier forms of language
    1. With the intetention of help
    2. Understand

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The origins of language

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	Created by cristina sire over 3 years ago