Language Evolution and Computation Bibliography

There is currently considerable disagreement about the value of different theoretical accounts that have been employed to explain the evolution of communication. In this paper, we review some of the core tenets of the 'adaptationist' and the 'informational' account. We argue that the former has its strength mainly in explaining the evolution of signals and the maintenance of honest signaling, while the latter is indispensible for understanding the cognitive mechanisms underpinning signal usage, structure, and comprehension. Importantly, the informational account that incorporates linguistic concepts is necessary prerequisite to identify which design features of language are shared with nonhuman primates or other animals, and which ones constitute derived traits specific for the human lineage.

Is language a species-specific feature that distinguishes humans from other animals? While monkey and ape calls carry rich information that is potentially available to listeners, callers have little voluntary control over the structure of their calls and are hence unable to use ...