Origin of Language (Origins)

by David Turell , Friday, December 27, 2013, 20:06 (3770 days ago) @ dhw

dhw: The fact is that languages have developed separately (there are neighbouring tribes that speak a totally different language ... another form of evolutionary convergence?), and tribal warfare is at least as common as tribal trade! But we may now be talking about events long after human language had begun its evolution.-Remember that babies pick up language syntax as if it is automatic. It seems implanted and convergent.
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> MATT: I don't think the emergence of language in humans is a strong case for a creator. 
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> dhw; Nor do I. For me, human language is a natural extension of communication as practised by all our fellow animals. Their subject matter, however, is (we assume) generally limited to matters of survival, whereas our degree of awareness and self-awareness has immeasurably expanded the range, with each new mode of survival, habitation, environmental conquest, reflection, leisure activity, providing a further spur to the development. As we know from the rapid changes taking place even now, this is a never-ending evolution.-Obviously I do not fully accept dhw's statement. It is a natural extension, but there was obviously much anticipatory preparation anatomically.