2. Topic
In early ancestor's of man , language originated as
sign language and the verbal language came out of
sign language.
Civilization developed under the influence of the
Verbal language
3. Charles Darwin
Darwin believed that
language originated from
imitating the natural
sounds.
Sexual selection is cause
of origin of language.
4. Gesture Theory
Two types of evidence support
this theory.
Gestural language and vocal
language depend on similar
neural systems. The regions on
the cortex that are responsible
for mouth and hand movements
border each other.
Nonhuman primates can use
gestures or symbols for at least
primitive communication, and
some of their gestures resemble
those of humans,.
M C Corballis , et al believes in
this theory.
5. The Genesis of Man
Man Evolved from the
Apes.
It is logical that the
language abilities of the
early human ancestors
were like that of ape.
6. Ape language research
Washoe , Koko , Nim ,
Kanzi , these apes have
proven that apes can
learn rudimentary form
of human sign language.
8. Gesture Evidence
Man uses gesture
synchronized with
words.
If hands of a person is
tied , his fluency of
speaking is interrupted.
Even blind men make
Gestures.
9. Why I support this Theory ?
I think the Gesture theory can explain
origin of writing & civilization.
It can establish a relationship between
Linguistics and Anthropology.
My argument is as follows :
10. Paleolithic man:
The old stone man were
hunters.
For hunting silence is
required. For animals run
away when they hear
sound
This is why in Paleolithic
age Sign language
prevailed.
11. Neolithic man
In Neolithic agriculture
developed.
Plants don’t run when
they hear sound.
For agriculture sign
language is not required.
Verbal language started.
12. YO HE HO- Theory
Hunting needs
cooperation and Silence.
Agriculture and farming
can have loud
cooperation.
For purpose of loud
cooperation of the
workers Verbal language
developed.
13. The Genesis of civilization:
When the verbal
language started it
became an information
high way.
As a result religion ,
science, art developed.
Massive structures
became possible.
14. The Cave Art:
If an English man go to China ,
How would he communicate ?
Either he can use gesture or he
can use art.
Then art is a substitute for sign
language.
Therefore cave arts were
substitute for sign language.
Cave art is the proof that
primitive men used sign
language.
15. Genesis of writing:
Sign language is iconic
where sound is abstract.
Pictogram or alphabet is
more abstract than art.
When language became
verbal , primitive men had
the idea of symbolism .
This gave rise to writing.
16. Conclusion
Why writing & civilization came after
Agriculture not before it ?
Because vegetables can not run away ; it
made verbal language possible.
Verbal language was a information super
high way, Which made civilization possible.
