WiSe 23/24: S-Language Change II: Evolutionary Linguistics
Ferdinand von Mengden
Kommentar
The capacity to communicate through speaking is by definition unique to the human species. At the same time speaking is a practice shared across all known human groups. Language therefore must have emerged from some type of human behavior or some kind of human trait at some point in the early history of humankind.
It is exactly the question of how and when human language came into being that constitutes the core interest of Evolutionary Linguistics. As a disciplinary branch it emerged in the past twenty years as a collaboration between linguistics, anthropology, primatology, behavioural psychology, evolutionary biology and other disciplines.
In this seminar we will take a look at the different strands of research as well as at the linguistic evidence for a potential beginning of language. The field brings about various related question. Perhaps the most central of these questions within linguistics (and beyond) is about the nature of human language: to what extent ‘language’ is a cultural practice or a genetically endowed capacity. Other underlying questions will be: How are extant theories of evolution suitable for studying the evolution of language? To what extent will other disciplines that deal with mankind and its history be able to contribute to our understanding of the origin of language? And in what way is the evidence from attested every-day speaking representative of the early stages of human language?
Schein requirements are a term paper, a short oral presentation in class as well as regular and active participation. The seminar starts in the first week of term. Students who are interested in the class but cannot come in the first week are kindly asked to notify me via email before the start of the lecture period.
Schließen16 Termine
Regelmäßige Termine der Lehrveranstaltung