The Evolutionary Origins of Syntax

About the seminar

One of the main challenges we face in explaining the evolution of human language is providing an account of the origins syntax. In this talk, I outline a model of the evolution of basic syntax in our line. Towards this end, I draw upon work on both monkey and ape communication, as well as great-ape language learning experiments. I argue that, taken together, this evidence enables us to effect a surprising reduction in the explanatory burden we face: great apes are, or very nearly are, syntax-ready. Thus, the core of the challenge is to explain why syntax was created in our line, and why it persisted as a stable design feature of human languages once it was created. I will suggest that a key driver of the evolution of syntax was communication about social behaviour.  

About the speaker

Dr Planner received his Ph.D in Philosophy, along with a Certificate in Cognitive Science, from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, in 2015. His dissertation examined the role of informational concepts in molecular, developmental, and evolutionary biology. He is currently a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Philosophy at the ANU.

This talk is presented as part of the 2019 Biological Anthropology Research seminar series.