The Evolution of Communication

Abstract

Part 1 Synopsis of the argument: some background information - communication and information, the comparative method - which species to compare and what to conclude?. Part 2 The evolution of communication - historical overview - the design of natural communication systems language evolution - linguists take a look - uniqueness, Noam Chomsky, Derek Bickerton, Philip Lieberman, Charles Hockett, Steven Pinker language evolution - biologists take a look - general comments, Peter Marler, W. John Smith synthesis. Part 3 Conceptual issues in the study of communication: signals designed for a complex environment - the ecology of signal transmission, the ecology of signal detection, adaptation and signal design problems of similarity and classification - the concept of similarity, similarity and classification, units of analysis and their classification in communication potential fruits of Tinbergen's research design. Part 4 Biological design and communication: mating signals - frogs and birds - anuran advertisement calls, avian song survival signals - bats - bat echolocation - the problem social signals - nonhuman and human primates - nonhuman primate vocalisations - general, human language, facial expression and perception in primates. Part 5 Genetic design and communication: mating signals - birds - avian song survival signals - squirrels and primates - ground squirrel alarms, vervet monkey alarm calls social signals - primates - nonhuman primate vocalisations, human spoken language, human sign language, facial and gestural expressions in primates. Part 6 Design and communication: mating signals - frogs, birds, and primates - anuran advertisement calls,, avian advertisement signals, primate copulation calls and sexual swellings survival signals - insects, birds, squirrels, and primates - alarm signals, warning colours, food-associated signals social signals - birds and primates - dominance signals and cues. (Part contents).