Abstract:

Research in language evolution frequently turns to studies of language

development for generating hypotheses about possible evolutionary trajectory of

communicative development in humans. One of the problems faced by such

hypothetical models is the necessity to explain both universal aspects and

individual variation in language development, which is essential for determining

the core characteristics of language capacity shared by all humans and estimating

the time of their emergence in evolution.

The current submission introduces a potentially fruitful tool, the Theory of

Functional Systems (TFS). It was developed by P. Anokhin, and is supported by

existing research (e.g., Toomela, 2010; Sudakov, 1997). This theory can

contribute to our understanding of language development by examining variation

in human communicative and linguistic abilities and its relation to the evolution of

our species.

The TFS explains the development of complex behaviors both in evolution

and in individuals by treating them and their supporting cognitive substrates as

complex systems, and postulating three levels of systemogenesis. In primary

systemogenesis, core abilities forming the basis of behavior are created; in

accompanying secondary systemogenesis, these abilities are modified through the

individual’s interaction with its environment and preserved through brain

plasticity in ontogenesis. If the environment creates stable selective pressure,

certain behavioral systems formed during individual development may prove

advantageous, and their maturation in the next generation’s ontogenetic

development may take place earlier. This third process is referred to as

evolutionary systemogenesis.

Evolutionary systemogenesis relies, among other things, on specific

mechanisms of gene expression in the nervous system. Growing evidence

suggests that genes expressed in an individual’s brain at the time of early Central

Nervous Systems (CNS) development are often expressed again in the adult brain

during various learning experiences. Moreover, the same genes can be involved

in different aspects of behavioral development and learning (e.g. Tokarev et al.,

2011). TFS has a potential for explaining (i) such genetic - behavioral interconnection, (ii) the process of transition from individual adult learned behavior over multiple generations into pre-adult species-specific behavior, iii) the links between phylogeny and ontogeny at the behavioral level, as well as (iv) the time sequence of emergence of certain abilities during development.

Application of TFS to the problem of language evolution requires examining genes associated with language development. For example, research in rodents demonstrated that one of the most prominent language associated genes - FoxP2 - is apparently involved not only in vocal development, but in certain aspects of learning in adult brains (Enard et al., 2009).

In ontogenetic language development, the core systems which have experienced strong evolutionary pressure will mature earlier and build the foundation for the organism’s tuning to the specific environment through plasticity and learning, allowing further development of linguistic capacity. Thus, those aspects of language that develop early in ontogeny are most likely to have experienced strong selective pressure during evolution. Aspects of language development that are variable might help us identify specific environmental cues that are essential for an infant’s growing linguistic system in secondary systemogenesis, and their developmental timing may unravel the evolutionary history of language. A TFS-based model can explain why human infants are capable of acoustic differentiation of speech sounds well before reaching motor independency and learning other aspects of language. Candidate abilities for primary and secondary systemogenesis are sound discrimination, word-object recognition, gestural communication and language acquisition styles. The ontogeny and phylogeny of language development has been a struggle to elucidate; TFS may greatly advance our understanding of human linguistics.



Acknowledgements

The author is grateful for the continuing guidance of senior supervisor Timothy Racine; and for helpful feedback and unwavering support from colleagues in the Human Evolutionary Studies Program.

References

Enard, W. et al. (2009). A humanized version of Foxp2 affects cortico-basal ganglia circuits in mice. Cell, 137, 961.

Sudakov, K. V. (1997). The theory of functional systems: General postulates and principles of dynamic organization. Integrative Physiological and Behavioral Science, 32(4), 392-414.

Tokarev, K., Tiunova, A., Scharff, C., Anokhin, K. (2011). Food for song:Expression of C-Fos and Zenk in the zebra finch song nuclei. PloS_One, 6:e21157.

Toomela, A. (2010). Biological roots of foresight and mental time travel. Integrative Psychological and Behavioral Science, 44(2), 97-125.

Download Paper (pdf)

Citation:

Vasileva O. (2016). Language Evolution In Ontogeny And Phylogeny. In S.G. Roberts, C. Cuskley, L. McCrohon, L. Barceló-Coblijn, O. Fehér & T. Verhoef (eds.) The Evolution of Language: Proceedings of the 11th International Conference (EVOLANG11). Available online: http://evolang.org/neworleans/papers/69.html