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The Modality-Independent Capacity of Language: A Milestone of Evolution

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Language Evolution and Developmental Impairments

Abstract

The chapter makes a distinction between language impairment and production errors such as apraxia, dysarthria and speech sound disorders. It argues against the gestural theory of language evolution and for the evolution of a “general language bias.” Hence, the chapter introduces the concept of a modality-independent capacity of language. This capacity is revealed by similarities in the acquisition of speech and sign languages; for example, babbling by deaf and hearing babies. With a few exceptions, these languages also share important brain mechanisms. The chapter also discusses whether a general language capacity which cuts across the modalities and can be expressed by different articulators is unique to the human species. Finally, this chapter discusses the reasons for the dominance of spoken languages.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

    Arild Lian

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  1. Arild Lian
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Lian, A. (2016). The Modality-Independent Capacity of Language: A Milestone of Evolution. In: Language Evolution and Developmental Impairments. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-58746-6_7

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