Daniel Everett, "Homo Erectus and the Invention of Human Language"

The script opens with Serena Longo's introduction at an event organized by Harvard Bookstore and other entities. She welcomes the audience and sets the stage for Daniel L. Everett's presentation on his book 'How Language Began.' She also introduces the Science Book Talk series, which features authors of recently published science literature, and mentions upcoming speakers like physicist Paul J. Steinhardt and biologist Neil Shubin. The audience is directed to the series' website and encouraged to sign up for the Harvard Bookstore's newsletter. The event will include a Q&A session, a book signing, and refreshments.

Melissa Franklin, a Harvard physics professor, takes the stage to introduce Daniel Everett, highlighting his diverse academic background, starting at the Moody Bible Institute and culminating in a PhD from the University of Campinas. Everett's research on the Piraha people in the Amazon basin is noted, along with his various academic positions and published works. Franklin expresses excitement about branching out from the typical physics-focused talks and invites the audience to suggest more diverse topics.

Daniel Everett delves into the complexity of studying language evolution, emphasizing the interdisciplinary nature of the field. He discusses the need for collaboration among archaeologists, linguists, and other experts. Everett introduces the concept of language as a biocultural behavior and outlines the various fields involved in understanding its origins. He challenges the idea that language is solely a grammar, proposing instead that it is the transfer of information by symbols, a capacity shared with, but more advanced in, humans.

Everett distinguishes between communication and language, noting that while all creatures communicate, only humans possess language with its open-ended symbols. He explains the difference between icons, indexes, and symbols, highlighting the conventional nature of symbols that form the basis of language. The paragraph also discusses the gradual evolution of the vocal apparatus in humans, suggesting that speech is secondary to the symbolic nature of language.

The script shifts focus to Homo erectus, exploring their capabilities and accomplishments. Everett discusses the importance of tools as evidence of cognitive development and cultural expression. He describes Homo erectus as successful travelers, toolmakers, and potential language users, suggesting that their cultural and technological achievements indicate the likely existence of language, despite the lack of definitive fossil evidence.

Everett examines the role of brain evolution in language development, comparing the brain sizes of Homo erectus, Neanderthals, and modern humans. He argues that brain organization, rather than size, is crucial for language, and acknowledges the limitations in understanding the brains of extinct species. The paragraph also touches on the contributions of Charles Sanders Peirce to logic and semiotics, suggesting his influence on the study of language.

The relationship between culture and language is explored, with Everett defining culture as an abstract network of social roles, knowledge domains, and ranked values. He emphasizes the importance of value rankings in shaping cultural expressions and discusses the concept of universal grammar, distinguishing between the views of Charles Sanders Peirce and Noam Chomsky on the subject.

Everett discusses the complexity of tools, highlighting their significance as cultural and cognitive artifacts. He differentiates between the opportunistic tool use of other species and the careful maintenance and transportation of tools by Homo erectus. The paragraph suggests that the development of tools, particularly their symbolic aspects, is indicative of the cognitive capacity for language.

The script presents archaeological findings that attribute various achievements to Homo erectus, including the controlled use of fire, complex tool-making, and long-distance travel. Everett argues that these accomplishments imply the likelihood of language, given the communicative demands of such activities. He also discusses the potential for erectus to have built boats, suggesting that language would have been essential for such an endeavor.

Everett considers the artistic expressions of Homo erectus, such as the creation of geometric shapes on shells and the Venus of Barakat ROM, as evidence of their cognitive abilities. He suggests that these early forms of art demonstrate an understanding of symbolism and may indicate the capacity for language, although he acknowledges that art is a separate cultural development from language evolution.

The widespread distribution of Homo erectus across the world is highlighted, with evidence of their presence in various regions including Beijing, Iran, and Israel. The paragraph discusses the implications of their global travels, suggesting that their ability to establish settlements and organize societies points to the likelihood of language as a tool for complex communication and social structure.

The script concludes with a discussion on the debate surrounding the presence of language in Homo erectus. Everett addresses the challenges of attributing linguistic capabilities to this species, given the lack of direct evidence. He considers various factors, such as tool-making, symbolism in artifacts, and social organization, as indirect evidence that supports the hypothesis that Homo erectus likely possessed language.