Shared semantics : exploring the interface between human and chimpanzee gestural communication
Abstract
Striking similarities across ape gestural repertoires suggest shared phylogenetic origins that likely provided a foundation for the emergence of language. We pilot a novel approach for exploring possible semantic universals across human and nonhuman ape species. In a forced-choice task, n = 300 participants watched 10 chimpanzee gesture forms performed by a human and chose from responses that paralleled inferred meanings for chimpanzee gestures. Participants agreed on a single meaning for nine gesture forms; in six of these the agreed form-meaning pair response(s) matched those established for chimpanzees. Such shared understanding suggests apes' (including humans') gesturing shares deep evolutionary origins.
Citation
Henderson , M , Grosz , P G , Graham , K E , Hobaiter , C & Patel-Grosz , P 2024 , ' Shared semantics : exploring the interface between human and chimpanzee gestural communication ' , Mind & Language , vol. Early View . https://doi.org/10.1111/mila.12500
Publication
Mind & Language
Status
Peer reviewed
ISSN
0268-1064Type
Journal article
Description
Career development grant, University ofOslo (PI: Patel-Grosz); EU Horizon 2020Marie Skłodowska-Curie R&I Program,Grant/Award Number: 945408 (Recipient:Patel-Grosz); H2020 European ResearchCouncil, Grant/Award Number: 802719(PI: Hobaiter); RFIEA+LABEX,Grant/Award Number: ANR-11-LABX-0027-01 (Recipient: Patel-Grosz)Collections
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