Through the process of evolution, language has experienced extraordinary transformation. Language development is significantly influenced by the psyche. Explaining the development of language also requires an understanding of the evolution of humans. Humans have long used communication as a means of social contact. The development of the brain and language for the purpose of adaptability was influenced by environmental constraints such as survival and fitness. Humans are able to interpret each other's facial expressions thanks to mental evolution. On the other side, the language has evolved from gesture use to vocalization. The study of language and its evolution remains to be the central focus in getting to understand the nature and behaviour of human beings. Psychologists have undertaken a vast amount of research is determining how the language and thoughts are related to one another about the human psychology. It has been described by many researchers that, the evolution of language has taken many years since humans started existing in this world. It is understood that through historical studies, human beings have evolved from apes to now biologically human beings. Through this concept, it is assumed that back then, as the humans were changing, the language of communication was symbolic and coordinated. It is therefore essential to comprehend how the mind correlates to the power of the language in humans by following historical events of evolution.
It is most evident that the way human beings communicate today is different from the way it has been since man evolved for the past many centuries. The present language and communication have been assumed to have evolved from simple primitive systems to presently understood complexities of the language. Furthermore, this evolution has been described in stages; the lower stage represents phenomenon of emotional expression of thought and higher stage where thought expression is achieved through sound. Notably, to understand the relationship existing between language and the mind, one ought to understand what language is, how it is structured, its evolutionary significance, and the theories that exist to explain this phenomenon. Additionally, an exploration of how the mind shapes the language and consequentially how the language shapes the mind is compared. This paper has been written with a significant goal of understanding and getting an idea of how language has evolved through the robust capability of the mind.
Discussion
All animals with a social interaction aspect communicate with each other. These animals range from bees, birds, whales, apes to humans. Among them all, only humans have evolved considerably to develop a language of communication that is much more than signals prearranged to convey meaning. Physically, human speech is distinct from that of non-humans. This uniqueness is attributable to the unique section of the human brain called the cortical speech centre that basically organizes sound and meaning rationally rather than instinctively (Chomsky, 2006; Hauser, Chomsky, & Fitch, 2002). It is assumed that the evolution process of both the human language and the mind must have been a long process because of the complexities existing between the two aspects. It is also believed that the humans in the past would probably speak to one another but in an undefined format of language that incorporated gestures and sound rather than speech.
Language is a combination of concepts that are addressed mnemonically with word forms to transmit information in thought (DeWitt, 2013). Language is a complicated process which has several primary features essential towards understanding its significance. Language is generative, dynamic, arbitrary, uniquely human, communicative, structured, and influential to cognitive processes. As language has been evolving, it was categorized into different phenomena. According to Malle (2002), the language is structured into four forms or principles namely phonemes and morphemes (phonology), semantics, pragmatics and syntax. In brief, phonology defines the sound, semantics interpret the meaning, pragmatics define the use, and syntax define the structure. These structures represent the distinct levels that have been used to describe the modern language.
The language is made up of phonemes and morphemes. The smallest units of sound such as /p/ in English are represented by the former while the least units such as ‘-ing’ are defined by the latter. Semantics are used in understanding the language function in other people, such as the pronunciation of words by people with Alzheimer’s disease, when related to psychology. Syntax, on the other hand, defines the grammar used. The syntax is responsible for influencing the meaning of sentences, and can be used in placement and arrangement of verbs, nouns, and adjectives. Finally, pragmatics is described as the social aspects of language that define how one communicates or applies language to convey a message to others.
The structure of language as above stated, played an essential role in the evolution of human dialect. Notably, back then, humans used sign language as a means of communicating to one another with regard to passing information on activities that they had to do together such as hunting for food or gathering fruits. Sign language utilized gestures to illustrate relations, objects, and actions in an iconic representation concept rather than in the abstract. The continuous use of iconic gestures led to evolution which resulted in the use of abstract forms in conceptualization (Malle, 2002). The sign language has, therefore, advanced over the years to arise in the presently used way of relaying information vocally.
The theory of mind is an aspect that is used in trying to understand the relationship that exists between language and mind. This argument represents the ability of humans to reason, express, and conceptualize about mental states (Malle, 2002). It is the theory of mind that enables humans to predict and explain behaviours of others in relation to their internal workings. These workings may include their attitudes, intentions, the point of view, knowledge, beliefs, and feelings (de Villiers, 2007). Human beings are not born with a theory of mind that is fully mature. They have to develop it from infancy to about eighteen months of growth. At the early stages of childhood, imitation is observed, but as time progresses and their mind keeps on growing, they tend to be sensibly perceptive, and begin making movements towards an action. This concept builds to where humans now have the desire, which is an indication of mind development. After the understanding the idea of passion, children soon understands different meanings of actions carried out by others (Malle, 2002). This is an excellent model of the nativist theory (biologically-based) explaining that human beings are born with an innate ability to come up with or develop a language.
The evolution of language has played a significant role in enabling human beings to obtain knowledge. Evolutionary psychology studies have enhanced this understanding to a great extent. Human beings are distinct from other animals because of language; a cognitive process that is not present in non-humans. Unlike animals, human beings can communicate past, current, immediate, and future needs. Evolution of human beings from apes to their existing physical structure have made their minds evolve and so has the language. This growth defines progression that has occurred in the competency of learning words (DeWitt, 2013). Through this logic, it can be deduced that the relationship between evolution of the language has a reliable interconnection to the transformation of the brain. Moreover, to understand the association between the evolution of the two aspects, an exploration of significant changes in human brain during evolution should be understood. In addition, the contribution of these changes to the evolution of language is explored as well. The brain in this context relates to the mind and as to how human acquired cognizance as they evolved.
Evolution of language is studied from sources such as the communicative and cognitive abilities of language development in children and other primates in relation to the structure of the language. As children grow, they go through phases of learning language as their mind improves. First, children begin communicating using reflexive gestures, followed by attempts to verbalize responses and then the first word is used. Over time, their vocabulary grows, and start using sentences and progress to understanding the use of grammar and making longer sentences. Finally, children get to developing metalinguistic awareness. On the other hand, human beings have attempted to teach language to the animals. This attempt has progressed to training them on how to execute simple actions by training them on ways to recognize words and signs (Bridgeman, 2003).
Primates and human infants are excellent sources of studying language evolution because they do not have adequate vocal tracts that can produce sounds exploited by the modern language (Paivio, 2014). This situation makes it almost impossible for them to develop any form of speech. However, the brain uses language that is produced by the vocal tract and therefore; these two must have coevolved. Also, existence of the relationship between apes and humans in evolution explains the retention of language apes used (sighs, gasps, and cries) in humans but rather in an entirely complementary form. This system of communication is still present in humans, but due to the ability of humans to vocalize (dual control), they are able to express both symbolic meanings as well as emotional (Paivio, 2014).
Historically, it is believed that human used to look and communicate like chimpanzees’ long time ago. However, distinct changes in this phenomenon have occurred as result of evolution. Paivio (2014) states that the evolution of language begun way back before the era of Homo sapiens. Moreover, when focusing on the aspects critical to the language, it can be noted that human children can learn a language wholly compared to those of apes. This demonstrates a considerable gap between the brain of a human and that of an ape when it comes to processing language. A lot is known about the difference of brain structure of apes, the human beings and how it functions. The study of human evolutionary processes has helped in studying the evolution of language and the brain.
Schoenemann (2009) outlines that every generation of children is able to utilize the brain to learn language. Not only was the language an important aspect in adaptation and fitness within the environment, it has also influenced evolution of the brain. Communication has long been perceived as core to human existence since human beings are social in nature. The human brain underwent two forms of evolution namely cultural and biological. The two forms were interlinked to one another such that, the language adapted to the human brain for the former while the human brain adapted to the language through the latter (Schoenemann, 2009). The language and the brain evolved together (coevolved) as a result of a complex adaptive system represented by the brain and the biological facet. During the evolution, the humans reproduced leading to genetic changes in subsequent generations as a strategy for survival and fitness to the environment. This interaction process was as a result of behavioural responses which formed the basis of communication thus defining language.
The chimpanzees and humans have an almost 98% (percent) genetic match. This is attributed to both the communicative and cognitive capabilities that have been observed in chimpanzees. However, through evolutionary studies, it has been assumed that the 2% (percent) gap gives humans an added advantage to learn the language vocally. The chimpanzees lack the linguistic specializations in humans because of their inability to master the complexity of the human language considering that their brain is much smaller relative to that of humans (Bridgeman, 2003).
The mind is defined by both cognitive skills and complex adaptive functions of both verbal and non-verbal systems (Bridgeman, 2003; Paivio, 2014). The human brain enlarged during evolution because of the evolutionary pressures. These pressures were ideal to favour motor coordination while making and using weapons as well as the intelligence of man. Consequentially, language has evolved as a by-product of these intellectual selection pressures (Paivio, 2014). Evolution of language and the mind, therefore, took place purposely for adaptivity.
Language is a concern when studying evolution of human beings because of its significant contribution to cognition and culture. From one generation to another, languages have been learned and transmitted culturally. Factors such as developmental, cultural, and historical factors attribute to the diversity of the human language. In Darwin’s description of evolution, it is perceived that all human beings are born with the desire embedded in instincts to learn a language and furthermore, they are equipped with the neural component to perform this (Fitch, 2011). Darwinian explanations support language as both innate and learned.
There are many theories that have been used in explaining the origin of language; the point where and evolution of language began. The first theory is the Chomsky’s single step theory explains the language emerged as crystal formation. The second is the gestural theory that outlines the language developed from simple forms of communication called gestures that were used then. In humans, use of gestures and vocal language depend on neuron systems present in the cortex. The systems coordinate movement of both the hands and the mouth. Non-humans, on the other hand, use the same gestures as human such as begging, as primitive communication form.
Thought has been significant in relation to the evolution of language. Language has been evolving as a vocal medium in transmitting information regarding human culture as well as a necessity of daily communication (Lieberman, 2016). Both language and speech express internal process of thinking in a human being. During evolution, structure of language is not uniform because of the way humans live in different environments and inevitably perceive the reality is contrasting ways. Language speeds thought while thoughts eventually lead to language. A language is basically a form of expressing a thought, and thus a thought comes before the language. This can be described by the fact that, thought depends on the sensory-motor coordination schemes rather than the language. This process of coordination occurs as a child grows until attaining a specific level of mental ability to process thought.
Conclusion
The aspect of language has been considered significant in understanding the different forms of human behaviour and their nature as well. There is a deep connection between the language and the power of the mind such that, the power of the language is determined by the mind. Language in man and non-humans have undergone evolution for a long time. In the past, man has used gestures and iconic representations in communicating with others, but over time, they have evolved to using vocal sounds to pass information. Environmental pressures and adaptation needs for survival made humans reproduce to maintain their population. This led to passing of genes from one generation to another with each constituting different capability. During these interactions, humans gradually developed language as a form of interaction. Many theories have been used in describing evolution of language. However, in particular, nativist theory, is unique. This paradigm states that every human is inherently capable of learning a new language. The mind controls thinking which is communicated using language. Examination of these phenomena discovers interlinks between them.
Summary
Physically, human speech is distinct from that of non-humans. It is assumed that evolution process of both the human language and the mind must have been a long process because of the complexities existing between the two aspects. It is also believed that the humans in the past would probably speak to one another but in an undefined format of language that incorporated gestures and sound rather than speech. Notably, to help in understanding the significance of language, there are features it possesses which include communication, uniquely human, and dynamism. Language is basically structured into phonology, semantics, pragmatics, and syntax that defines sound, meaning, use, and structure of language respectively.
Language has evolved with its structure intact because it has been the principle form of social interaction between humans since commencement of evolution. Language use in humans has evolved from iconic representations using gestures to abstract representation using thought. The theory of mind relates to the language evolution such that, humans have grown to predict and explain behaviours of others through analysing attitudes and beliefs among other traits. Human beings are born with an innate capability to learn and conceptualize new language. This is explained by the process in which a child undergoes from imitation to full mental capability of conceptualization and perception of reality depending on the environment they are brought up in. The distinctive differentiator between human beings and the apes’ is the ability of humans to communicate both past, present, and future needs because of language. The human brain has evolved to learn new adaptations to the environment so as to survive. These interactions and the environmental pressures led to the development of language. Moreover, the ability of a human to develop language has been as a result of genetic predisposition which is a significant advantage in developing communication.
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