The adaptive significance of human language: Function, form and social evolution

Thesis

Language is arguably one of the most salient features that distinguish humans from other animal species. However, despite the existence of a large body of relevant theoretical and empirical research, there is currently no consensus as to why language emerged exclusively in the human species or how it evolved its unique communicative structure.

In this thesis, I therefore take a multi-pronged approach to analysing and testing several different hypotheses for the biological function a...

Expand abstract

Authors: Oesch, NT

• Alternative title: Adaptive significance of human language
• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Keywords: Intentionality; Language evolution; Mindreading; Evolution of language; Mentalising; Honest signalling theory; Evolutionary psychology
• Subjects: Evolutionary linguistics; Language evolution; Evolution of intelligence; Historical linguistics; Evolution of language; Evolutionary psychology