The Origin of Words

Cognition

The Origins of Language

Herbert S. Terrace Ph.D. on December 11, 2021

Why a theory of the evolution of language has proved so elusive.

Why a theory of the evolution of language has proved so elusive.

Environment

What Is a Word?

Herbert S. Terrace Ph.D. on August 13, 2021

A definition is needed to understand the nature and the origins of language.

A definition is needed to understand the nature and the origins of language.

Attention

In the Beginning There Were No Words

Herbert S. Terrace Ph.D. on May 4, 2021

A new perspective on the evolution of language.

A new perspective on the evolution of language.

Attention

How Infants Learn to Use Words

Herbert S. Terrace Ph.D. on August 24, 2020

Word learning among infants and the processes that facilitate it.

Word learning among infants and the processes that facilitate it.

Attention

Nonverbal Precursors of Language II

Herbert S. Terrace Ph.D. on July 16, 2020

Critical precursors of language in infants.

Critical precursors of language in infants.

Cognition

NonVerbal Precursors of Language: I

Herbert S. Terrace Ph.D. on June 11, 2020

Why intersubjective relations are an emotional foundation of language

Why intersubjective relations are an emotional foundation of language

Environment

Which Human Ancestor Invented Words?

Herbert S. Terrace Ph.D. on May 12, 2020

Circumstantial evidence suggests it was Homo Erectus.

Circumstantial evidence suggests it was Homo Erectus.

The main function of language is to share knowledge.

Cognition

Alfred Wallace's Problem

Herbert S. Terrace Ph.D. on December 2, 2019

Can the Theory of Evolution explain language?

Can the Theory of Evolution explain language?

Cognition

Why a Chimpanzee Can’t Learn Language: 2

Herbert S. Terrace Ph.D. on November 2, 2019

How can one teach language to a chimpanzee who is unable to produce the basic sounds of spoken language (phonemes)?

How can one teach language to a chimpanzee who is unable to produce the basic sounds of spoken language (phonemes)?

Cognition

Why Chimpanzees Can't Learn Language: 1

Herbert S. Terrace Ph.D. on October 2, 2019

My rollercoaster experience trying to teach a chimp sign language.

My rollercoaster experience trying to teach a chimp sign language.

Cognition

Why Animal Communication Is Not Language

Herbert S. Terrace Ph.D. on September 3, 2019

Did language evolve from animal communication?

Did language evolve from animal communication?

Cognition

Nim Chimpsky and Noam Chomsky

Herbert S. Terrace Ph.D. on August 5, 2019

Why do only humans use language? We find answers in failed attempts to communicate with chimpanzees and recent discoveries about an ancestor's and a human infants' first words.

Why do only humans use language? We find answers in failed attempts to communicate with chimpanzees and recent discoveries about an ancestor's and a human infants' first words.