Daniel Everett, How Language Began: The History of Humanity’s Greatest Invention [reupload]

The speaker, Festa Cooper-Nichol, initiates the discussion on the antiquity of language, suggesting it dates back to Homo erectus, approximately 1.5 million years ago. He emphasizes the importance of language as a bio-cultural behavior, involving the entire human body. The talk promises to explore various disciplines such as archaeology, linguistics, and cognitive science to piece together the origins of language, focusing on the role of symbols and their distinction from other signs like icons and indexes.

Cooper-Nichol challenges the idea that language appeared suddenly with Homo sapiens, proposing a more gradual development starting with Homo erectus. He argues that language has been present for over 60,000 generations and was already in existence when Homo neanderthalensis and Homo sapiens came into being. The speaker also discusses the irrelevance of the full range of human sounds to the existence of language, using the Pitaha language as an example of a complex communication system with a limited number of sounds.

The discussion shifts to the significance of tools in understanding Homo erectus' cognitive abilities and culture. Tools are highlighted as not only functional but also symbolic, representing cultural knowledge and social cooperation. The speaker mentions experiments that show the difficulty of tool construction without language, suggesting the deep connection between language, symbols, and the transmission of technical skills.

Cooper-Nichol provides evidence of Homo erectus' widespread geographic distribution, indicating their presence in various parts of the world, including China, Greece, and the Middle East. He discusses the implications of their tools as symbols of social structure and the potential for cultural expression through tool decoration. The speaker also introduces the concept of 'dark matter of the mind,' referring to the unspoken, shared knowledge within a culture.

The speaker explores early examples of symbolic behavior, such as the use of a cuttlefish bone by Homo erectus, which may have served an aesthetic or symbolic purpose. He connects these early symbols to the development of language, suggesting that the transition from using icons and indexes to symbols was a crucial step in human communication. The paragraph also delves into the cognitive leap required for symbols and the foundational role they play in language.

Cooper-Nichol examines the development of grammar in language, distinguishing between simple linear orders of symbols and more complex hierarchical or recursive structures. He argues that while grammar can vary greatly, the core of language lies in the use of symbols. The speaker also touches on the idea that language could have started with simple syntax but evolved to incorporate more complex grammatical structures over time.

The discussion highlights the cultural and cognitive significance of Homo erectus' tools, which were not only practical but also reflected the social and symbolic values of their makers. The speaker describes the advanced tool-making techniques of Homo erectus, such as Levallois technology, and the potential evidence for tool decoration, suggesting a complex interplay between function, style, and symbolism in their culture.

Cooper-Nichol delves into the earliest known instances of art and symbolic expression, such as geometric markings on a shell by Homo erectus and the Venus of Berekhat Ram, suggesting a cognitive capacity for abstract thought and communication. The speaker posits that these artifacts demonstrate the symbolic nature of Homo erectus' culture and their ability to convey meaning beyond immediate practical needs.

The speaker emphasizes the primacy of symbols in the development of language and cultural evolution. He argues against the concept of a 'proto-language,' asserting that the arrangement of symbols in an ordered manner constitutes language. The paragraph explores the idea that Homo erectus' use of symbols in tools, art, and possibly gestures indicates their capacity for complex communication and the expression of cultural knowledge.

Cooper-Nichol discusses the innate human ability to learn language, distinguishing it from other species' abilities. He highlights the role of the brain's size and structure in facilitating language acquisition and the rapid connections between brain cells that enable complex thought. The speaker also touches on the idea that children are born with an inherent capacity for language, which is fundamental to their cultural integration and identity formation.

The speaker reflects on the complexity of language learning and the flexibility inherent in human cognition and culture. He shares anecdotes from his experiences learning the Pirahã language and the cultural insights gained from this process. Cooper-Nichol emphasizes the importance of social engagement in language learning and the role of language in constructing identity and communication within a culture.

Cooper-Nichol concludes the discussion by examining the impact of language on thought and culture. He acknowledges that while language influences the way we think, it does not entirely determine our thought processes. The speaker also highlights the role of language as a cognitive technology that can facilitate or limit certain cognitive abilities, such as mathematics or color naming, and the importance of cultural exposure in shaping our linguistic and cognitive development.