genesis of language and civilization
- 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.
- 7. Ape ancestors Australopithecus were like Apes Then it is logical that they could use sign languages.
- 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.
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