Abstract
Opposing genetic and cultural-social explanations for the origin of language are currently the focus of much discussion. One of the functions linked to the longitudinal fascicle is language, which links Wernicke’s area and Broca’s area in the brain, and its size should indicate the brain increase in the evolution. Sapajus is a New World primate genus with high cognition and advanced tool use similar to that of chimpanzees. A study of the gross anatomy of the longitudinal fascicle of Sapajus using Kingler’s method found it to differ from other studied primates, such as macaques and chimpanzees, mainly because its fibers join the cingulate fascicle. As in other non-human primates, the longitudinal fascicle of Sapajus does not reach the temporal lobe, which could indicate a way of separating these fascicles to increase white matter in relation to individual function. The study of anatomical structures seems very promising for understanding the basis of the origin of language. Indeed, socio-historical-cultural philosophy affirms the socio-cultural origin of speech, although considering the anatomical structures behind it working as a functional system.
Highlights
A new hypothesis about the origin of language has recently been proposed [1], in opposition, in many respects, to current genetic theory [2,3,4]
An individualized longitudinal fascicle was not observed in the brain of Sapajus sp
Anatomical data from the present study reveals a longitudinal fascicle in the brain of Sapajus that is primitive in relation to other studied primates, such as macaques and chimpanzees
Summary
A new hypothesis about the origin of language has recently been proposed [1], in opposition, in many respects, to current genetic theory [2,3,4]. The origin of language from a natural human capacity has allowed the construction of an infinity of phrases from a finite number of words and limited grammatical rules [2]; this natural human capacity has a genetic basis. It must be assumed that language, like other higher cortical functions, did not appear suddenly in humans, but is based on the convergence of human invention, cognition and psychological evolution [1], in addition to environmental pressure. The development of human social and cultural structure seems to have had an important role in the development of language [1], considering study of the Pirahã language, inter alia [5].
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