Becoming Human: From Pointing Gestures to Syntax
(Part of the Advances in Consciousness Research (#81) Series and Advances in Consciousness Research (#81) Series)
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What do the pointing gesture, the imitation of new complex motor patterns, the evocation of absent objects and the grasping of others' false beliefs all have in common? Apart from being (one way or other) involved in the language, they all would share a demanding requirement - a second mental centre within the subject. This redefinition of the simulationism is extended in the present book in two directions. Firstly, mirror-neurons and, likewise, animal abilities connected with the visual field of their fellows, although they certainly constitute important landmarks, would not require this second mental centre. Secondly, others' beliefs would have given rise not only to predicative communicative function but also to pre-grammatical syntax. The inquiry about the evolutionary-historic origin of language focuses on the cognitive requirements on it as a faculty (but not to the indirect causes such as environmental changes or greater co-operation), pays attention to children, and covers other human peculiarities as well, e.g., symbolic play, protodeclaratives, self-conscious emotions, and interactional or four-hand tasks.
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:9027252173
ISBN13:9789027252173
Release Date:July 2011
Publisher:John Benjamins Publishing Company
Length:402 Pages
Related Subjects
PsychologyCustomer Reviews
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