Frank Mayhar <frank at exit.com> writes: > Nytemuse wrote: > > That would depend. What do you mean by "pivotal"? Exactly what role does > > the gene play in establishing language? > > In this case, it is a gene that affects fine voluntary muscular control of > the mouth and larynx. It is a difference in this gene that lets humans have > language and chimpanzees (and the rest) _not_ have language. Except that chimps can be taught sign-language, and will come up with new words, and will pass it on to their children. They may lack the *vocal* control to have language, but they can have it other ways, and their brains can handle it. > In the area of neuropsychology, by the way, there has been a lot of study > of the processing of speech in the brain. (I wanted to say "language," but > it's a lot harder to demonstrate language in general than it is to demonstrate > speech.) It appears that our language ability is, indeed, hardwired, and I > am convinced that further study will only confirm that understanding. There seems to be hardware support for it, is the way I'd put it. "Hardwired" suggests a rather stronger pre-determination of how it will come out than *I*, at least, think the evidence supports. -- David Dyer-Bennet, dd-b at dd-b.net / New TMDA anti-spam in test John Dyer-Bennet 1915-2002 Memorial Site http://john.dyer-bennet.net Book log: http://www.dd-b.net/dd-b/Ouroboros/booknotes/ New Dragaera mailing lists, see http://dragaera.info