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Origine del linguaggio
Adornetti, Ines
2012
Abstract
In this paper we examine the issue of the origin of human language by comparing two of the main theoretical options proposed in this regard: the vocal hypothesis (the idea that language originated through the auditory medium) and the gestural hypothesis (the idea that language originated by exploiting the visual medium).Through theoretical arguments and empirical evidence, we show the difficulties of the vocal hypothesis and, basing of these difficulties, we support the validity of the gestural origin. According to the gestural model, human language is the final outcome of a long evolutionary process that originated from cognitive systems based on perception and action shared (at various degree) with other primates. This model respects the naturalistic Darwinian tradition, according to which human language is based on capacities already present in other animal species, and thus offers a valid alternative to the Cartesian perspectives according to which language cannot be conceived in continuity with other forms of animal communication.
Journal
Publisher
EUT Edizioni Università di Trieste
Source
Ines Adornetti, "Origine del linguaggio", in "APhEx 5", 2012, pp. 39
Languages
it
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