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Article published In:
Interaction and Iconicity in the Evolution of Language
Edited by Stefan Hartmann, Michael Pleyer, James Winters and Jordan Zlatev
[Interaction Studies 18:3] 2017
► pp. 376–401

Debunking two myths against vocal origins of language

Language is iconic and multimodal to the core

| Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics |

Gesture-first theories of language origins often raise two unsubstantiated arguments against vocal origins. First, they argue that great ape vocal behavior is highly constrained, limited to a fixed, species-typical repertoire of reflexive calls. Second, they argue that vocalizations lack any significant potential to ground meaning through iconicity, or resemblance between form and meaning. This paper reviews the considerable evidence that debunks these two “myths”. Accumulating evidence shows that the great apes exercise voluntary control over their vocal behavior, including their breathing apparatus, larynx, and supralaryngeal articulators. They are also able to learn new vocal behaviors, and even show some rudimentary ability for vocal imitation. In addition, an abundance of research demonstrates that the vocal modality affords rich potential for iconicity. People can understand iconicity in sound symbolism, and they can produce iconic vocalizations to communicate a diverse range of meanings. Thus, two of the primary arguments against vocal origins theories are not tenable. As an alternative, the paper concludes that the origins of language – going as far back as our last common ancestor with great apes – are rooted in iconicity in both gesture and vocalization.

Keywords: ape vocal behavior, iconicity, language evolution, vocalization, multimodality
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction: Gestures versus vocalizations
  • 2.Myth 1: Great ape vocal behavior is fixed and reflexive
    • 2.1Voluntary control of vocal behavior
    • 2.2Learning in vocal behavior
  • 3.Myth 2: Vocalizations cannot be iconic
    • 3.1Sound symbolism
    • 3.2Iconic vocalizations
  • 4.Conclusion: Language is iconic and multimodal to the core
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 8 December 2017
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/is.18.3.05per
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