A four-stage model of the co-evolution of hominin cooperation and communication
(2024) p.103-123- Abstract
Language is a complex semiotic system based on the context-sensitive use of signs, in contrast to the comparatively rigid systems of signals used by other animals, making it a uniquely human bio-cultural adaptation. But equally unique for human beings are other semiotic systems, and their corresponding sociocultural practices, such as (representational) gesture, the use of pictures and music. Crucially, two or more of these are commonly integrated in various, more or less complex forms of human polysemiotic communication, such as “sand stories”. Further, what distinguishes human cultures from the behavioural traditions of other animals are unprecedented degrees and forms of cooperation. Other researchers have proposed that the unique... (More)
Language is a complex semiotic system based on the context-sensitive use of signs, in contrast to the comparatively rigid systems of signals used by other animals, making it a uniquely human bio-cultural adaptation. But equally unique for human beings are other semiotic systems, and their corresponding sociocultural practices, such as (representational) gesture, the use of pictures and music. Crucially, two or more of these are commonly integrated in various, more or less complex forms of human polysemiotic communication, such as “sand stories”. Further, what distinguishes human cultures from the behavioural traditions of other animals are unprecedented degrees and forms of cooperation. Other researchers have proposed that the unique properties of human communication and cooperation have in fact co-evolved, but this chapter argues that such accounts have so far faced difficulties in one or more respects. Theoretically, they have proposed too few evolutionary stages, and have had difficulties in explaining transitions between stages. Empirically, they have, with few exceptions, been based on limited paleoanthropological evidence. Combining some of the strengths of these proposals, but improving on their drawbacks, and appealing to cognitive semiotics and anthropology, the chapter proposes a synthetic four-stage model of co-evolutionary loops between cooperation and communication in hominin evolution, with key roles for alloparenting, bodily mimesis and narrative. It emphasises the pivotal role of narratives in strengthening cooperative networks and driving transitions from earlier to later stages: from simple stories expressed in pantomime to more complex protolanguage-based narratives, to the metaphorically dense and evocative myths found in (nearly) all language-based human cultures. Finally, the theoretical framework is evaluated and avenues for future research are suggested.
(Less)
- author
- Zlatev, Jordan LU ; Stutz, Aaron and Żywiczyński, Przemyslaw
- organization
- publishing date
- 2024-01-01
- type
- Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
- publication status
- published
- subject
- host publication
- Introducing Evolutionary Pragmatics : How Language Emerges from Use - How Language Emerges from Use
- pages
- 21 pages
- publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:85212011832
- ISBN
- 9781032482460
- 9781040153291
- DOI
- 10.4324/9781003390084-9
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- b1f35e29-c301-4c3a-96b3-1374cd181fb1
- date added to LUP
- 2025-01-27 13:29:51
- date last changed
- 2025-07-15 02:39:59
@inbook{b1f35e29-c301-4c3a-96b3-1374cd181fb1,
abstract = {{<p>Language is a complex semiotic system based on the context-sensitive use of signs, in contrast to the comparatively rigid systems of signals used by other animals, making it a uniquely human bio-cultural adaptation. But equally unique for human beings are other semiotic systems, and their corresponding sociocultural practices, such as (representational) gesture, the use of pictures and music. Crucially, two or more of these are commonly integrated in various, more or less complex forms of human polysemiotic communication, such as “sand stories”. Further, what distinguishes human cultures from the behavioural traditions of other animals are unprecedented degrees and forms of cooperation. Other researchers have proposed that the unique properties of human communication and cooperation have in fact co-evolved, but this chapter argues that such accounts have so far faced difficulties in one or more respects. Theoretically, they have proposed too few evolutionary stages, and have had difficulties in explaining transitions between stages. Empirically, they have, with few exceptions, been based on limited paleoanthropological evidence. Combining some of the strengths of these proposals, but improving on their drawbacks, and appealing to cognitive semiotics and anthropology, the chapter proposes a synthetic four-stage model of co-evolutionary loops between cooperation and communication in hominin evolution, with key roles for alloparenting, bodily mimesis and narrative. It emphasises the pivotal role of narratives in strengthening cooperative networks and driving transitions from earlier to later stages: from simple stories expressed in pantomime to more complex protolanguage-based narratives, to the metaphorically dense and evocative myths found in (nearly) all language-based human cultures. Finally, the theoretical framework is evaluated and avenues for future research are suggested.</p>}},
author = {{Zlatev, Jordan and Stutz, Aaron and Żywiczyński, Przemyslaw}},
booktitle = {{Introducing Evolutionary Pragmatics : How Language Emerges from Use}},
isbn = {{9781032482460}},
language = {{eng}},
month = {{01}},
pages = {{103--123}},
publisher = {{Taylor & Francis}},
title = {{A four-stage model of the co-evolution of hominin cooperation and communication}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781003390084-9}},
doi = {{10.4324/9781003390084-9}},
year = {{2024}},
}