[Pharmboy]

Interesting stuff. Thought some of you might like to see this.

[Pharmboy]

+Ping+

[JudyB1938]

However, the key commonality is that their spontaneously created languages resemble fully-formed languages. [snip]

That result, if confirmed in other studies, could have profound implications. Another much-argued question in linguistics is whether there is some sort of grammatical template that acts as part of a language instinct and is wired into the brains of new-born children.

Now THAT is an interesting concept. I believe it could lead credence to the Tower of Bable story in scripture and how people could INSTANTLY begin speaking other languages.

[rface]

I'll read this later.....

[angkor]

Another much-argued question in linguistics is whether there is some sort of grammatical template that acts as part of a language instinct and is wired into the brains of new-born children.

When he's not being an bloviating poseur and is doing what he's actually good at, this is the question that got Chomsky a professorship at MIT.

Transformational Grammar.

Fascinating stuff, also covered by many cultural anthropologists and also in the more ethereal realm by Gregory Bateson.

[Dark Wing]

FYI

[RightWingAtheist]

One my first papers as an undergrad actually dealt with this. It has been theorized that language first evolved as series of iconic hand gestures accompanied by gutteral vocalizations. These sounds later developed into the spoken language we have today. The theory would explain why both spoken and sign languages follow the same syntatical rules, as well as why deaf babies "babble" with their hands.

In my Master's program, I did a literature survey on neo-Darwinist approaches to the evolution of communication. If I have time, I'll see if I can dig up the reference list.

[RightWingAtheist]

Judging by the way these kids are acting, I'd say they must be Kunich supporters.

[LiteKeeper]

INTREP

[stripes1776]

My cat uses sign language too. When he puts his tail straight up into the air, he is saying feed me. He is obviously an accomplished grammarian, speaking a dialect of Proto-Feline.