Evolution’s great mystery - Michael Corballis
TED-Ed・2 minutes read
Kanzi, a bonobo in the 1980s, used abstract symbols to communicate with humans, raising questions about whether he had acquired language beyond basic communication. The debate around the origins of language includes theories that suggest it may have begun as gestures before evolving into speech, possibly during the Pleistocene era, facilitating human dominance.
Insights
- Kanzi, a bonobo in the 1980s, demonstrated the ability to use abstract symbols on a keyboard to communicate with humans, raising questions about the nature of language acquisition beyond basic communication.
- The evolution of language is theorized to have begun with gestures before progressing to speech, possibly during the Pleistocene era, enabling Homo sapiens to develop articulate speech, freeing hands for tasks, and potentially playing a role in human dominance.
Get key ideas from YouTube videos. It’s free
Recent questions
How did Kanzi communicate with humans in the 1980s?
Kanzi communicated with humans using abstract symbols on a keyboard.
Related videos
Summary
00:00
Debate: Bonobo Kanzi's Language Abilities and Origins
- Kanzi, a bonobo in the 1980s, communicated with humans using abstract symbols on a keyboard to make requests, answer questions, and refer to absent objects, sparking debate on whether he had acquired language beyond mere communication.
- While many researchers believe only humans possess true language due to its open-ended nature allowing for limitless expression, other species' communication is seen as limited to specific messages, lacking the complexity of human language.
- The origins of language are debated, with suggestions that it may have started as gestures before evolving into speech, potentially during the Pleistocene era when the genus Homo emerged, leading to homo sapiens with an optimal vocal tract for articulate speech, freeing hands for activities and potentially contributing to human dominance.
