Christiansen, Morten H., Chater, Nick and Reali, Florencia (2009) The biological and cultural foundations of language. Communicative & Integrative Biology , Vol.2 (No.3). pp. 221-222. doi:10.4161/cib.2.3.8034

Research output not available from this repository.

Request-a-Copy directly from author or use local Library Get it For Me service.

Request Changes to record.

Abstract

A key challenge for theories of language evolution is to explain why language is the way it is and how it came to be that way. It is clear that how we learn and use language is governed by genetic constraints. However, the nature of these innate constraints has been the subject of much debate. Although many accounts of language evolution have emphasized the importance of biological adaptations specific to language, we discuss evidence from computer simulations pointing to strong restrictions on such adaptations. Instead, we argue that processes of cultural evolution have been the primary factor affecting the evolution of linguistic structure, suggesting that the genetic constraints on language largely predate the emergence of language itself.

Item Type:	Journal Item
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Warwick Business School > Behavioural Science Faculty of Social Sciences > Warwick Business School
Journal or Publication Title:	Communicative & Integrative Biology
Publisher:	Landes Bioscience
ISSN:	1942-0889
Official Date:	February 2009
Dates:	Date Event February 2009 Published
Volume:	Vol.2
Number:	No.3
Number of Pages:	2
Page Range:	pp. 221-222
DOI:	10.4161/cib.2.3.8034
Status:	Not Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Open Access (Creative Commons)

Request changes or add full text files to a record

Repository staff actions (login required)

View Item