1) The oral presentation covered two units on the origins of language and animals/human communication. For unit 1, it discussed several proposed sources of language origins, including natural sounds, physical adaptation, tool-making, and genetics, ultimately concluding there is no clear evidence for any one source. 2) For unit 2, it defined properties of human language like reflexivity and arbitrariness. It also examined whether animals can understand human language or produce language themselves through experiments with chimpanzees and primates. 3) While animals communicate, human language is unique due to our physical features and complex processes involved in using language. Primates show some ability to use signs but lack the full properties of human language.

1. Lengua y Expresión Escrita IV
I.S.F.D. Nº 41
Profesorado de Inglés.
Oral presentation- Group 8.
Students:
START!
Pair 1: Vazquez, Victoria and Peralta Noelia (Unit 1 and 2)
Pair 2: Elicegui Mercedes and Sanguinetti Agostina (Unit 17)
Pair 3: Ana Laura Germinario and Florencia Franco (18)
Pair 4: Eisenacht Vilma and Petralanda Maite ( Unit 19)
1: The origins of
language.
2: Animals and human
language.

2. The origins of language. (Unit 1)
Imitation of natural
sounds/cries of
emotion
King James the Fourth of Scotland
→ Hebrew.
Experiments:
Abstract concepts?
The divine source
Table of
Contents
The natural sound
source
The physical adapation
The tool-making
source
The genetic source
The divine source The natural sound
source
Egyptian pharaoh(Psamtik)
→ Phrygian language
No
evidenceRejected
Onomatopeia
Rejected
The physical
adaptation source
The social interaction
source

3. The social interaction source
Social context.
→ Human sounds.
→ Physical effort.
Hums, grunts,
groans,
curses.
Early people
Groups→ Social organization.
Communication.
Rejected
Similar to
apes. Social calls
No speech
No
clarification
regarding
the origins.

4. The physical adaptation source
Humans.
Physical features.
Partial adaptations.
Speech → Important
Teeth
Lips
Mouth
Larynx
Pharynx
This source does not
clarify the origins of
language
It provides information
about how sounds are
produced in humans

5. The tool-making source
Precursor of language → Manual gestures
Evolutionary connection between the
Language-using and tool-using human abilities
Humans→ born with a special
capacity for language → innate
Innateness hypothesis→ mutation
Tool- making produced brain development→ F1rst--> naming
an object from its noise.
2nd→ bring another noise to combine with the first one.
The genetic source
Brain
Lateralized
Structural
organization
There is not enough evidence.
A search for the “language
gene” → Only humans
possess it.

6. Animals and human language
Signals: communicative
or informative?
A distinction in
communication.
Properties of
human language
It is not a matter of
communication
Experimenting with
animals
Do animals understand
human language?
A conclusion
“Using language”
Unit 2

7. Properties of language
● Reflexivity
● Displacement
● Arbitrariness
● Productivity
● Cultural transmission
● Duality

8. Communication involving
animals and humans
● Can animals understand human language?
● Is it possible for primates to produce
language?
● Different kind of experiments.
● What do we mean by “using language”?
Chimpanzees
Experiments
and studies
Washoe
Sara and Lana
Kanzi
controversy

9. A conclusion
★ All creatures communicate in
some way.
★ As human beings, our physical
features are crucial in the way
we produce spoken language.
(sounds-articulations)
★ It is possible to conclude that
primates have a similar brain
structure that allow them to use
signs to communicate.
★ Nonetheless, several processes
intervene in the use of our
language that make it unique.
Some things to consider

10. Thank you!
Our Team:
Victoria Vazquez
Noelia Peralta

11. Bibliography
Yule, G. (2010). The Study of Language. New York, USA. Cambridge University Press
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