Abstract

We propose reframing one of the key questions in the field of language evolution as what was the original human-specific communicative system? With the help of cognitive semiotics, first we clarify the difference between signals, which characterize animal communication, and signs, which do not replace but complement signals in human communication. We claim that the evolution of bodily mimesis allowed for the use of signs, and the social-cognitive skills needed to support them to emerge in hominin evolution. Neither signs nor signals operate single-handedly, but as part of semiotic systems. Communicative systems can be either monosemiotic or polysemiotic—the former consisting of a single semiotic system and the latter, of several. Our proposal is that pantomime, as the original human-specific communicative system, should be characterized as polysemiotic: dominated by gesture but also including vocalization, facial expression, and possibly the rudiments of depiction. Given that pantomimic gestures must have been maximally similar to bodily actions, we characterize them as typically (1) dominated by iconicity, (2) of the primary kind, (3) involving the whole body, (4) performed from a first-person perspective, (5) concerning peripersonal space, and (6) using the Enacting mode of representation.

中文翻译：

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手势作为原始的特定于人的交流系统

摘要

我们建议将语言发展领域的关键问题之一重新定义为什么是特定于人类的原始交流系统？在认知符号学的帮助下，我们首先阐明了表征动物交流的信号与信号之间的区别，信号在人类交流中不能替代信号，而是对其进行补充。我们认为，身体模仿的进化允许使用体征，以及支持人类出现在人参进化中所需的社交认知技能。标志和信号都不能单手操作，而只是符号系统的一部分。交际系统可以是monosemiotic或polysemiotic—前者由一个符号系统组成，后者由多个符号系统组成。我们的建议是，哑剧作为人类特定的原始交流系统，应被表征为多义性：以手势为主，但也包括发声，面部表情，以及可能的描写基础。考虑到手势动作必须与身体动作最大相似，我们将其表征为（1）以偶像性为主，（2）主要类型，（3）涉及整个身体，（4）由第一人称进行（5）有关人际空间的观点，以及（6）使用“表达”表达模式。