The Gestural Communication of Bonobos (Pan paniscus): Implications for the Evolution of Language

The Gestural Communication of Bonobos (Pan paniscus): Implications for the Evolution of Language

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Malone, MaryLauren
Language:English
Published: University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK 2013
Subjects:
Physical Anthropology
bonobo
gesture
language evolution
Online Access:http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1384850953
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spelling ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-ucin13848509532021-08-03T06:20:37Z The Gestural Communication of Bonobos (Pan paniscus): Implications for the Evolution of Language Malone, MaryLauren Physical Anthropology bonobo gesture language evolution Primate studies allow us to examine origins of language because the methods of communication exhibited by living great apes may be similar to interactions of our last common ancestor. The study of homologous traits permits inferences about early human behavior that would otherwise be unsubstantiated speculation. The chimpanzee-bonobo clade shares approximately 98.8% of DNA with humans, making the genus Pan an excellent comparative group to study the origins of language. The three categories of gestures include auditory, tactile, and visual contact with the recipient. Arbib, Liebal and Pika (2008) suggest the modified gestural origins theory in which they state that imitation and pantomime dominated the early evolutionary stages of gesturing. The theory proposes that practical manual skills promoted complex imitation, followed by pantomime, which in turn allowed for rich gestural communication. An observational study conducted by Pika et al. (2005) generated a gestural repertoire of two bonobo groups, thereby providing a framework for understanding flexibility and variability of gesture use. Flexibility refers to the performance of the same action within different social contexts, while variability describes the range of multiple gestures within a repertoire. The present study aims to expand the current knowledge of gestural communication among bonobos. Additionally, this research will test the possibility there are other gestures outside of the previous study's inventory. Evidence of both similar and novel gestures from an independent group of bonobos would support claims that gesture usage is variable across groups, and may be indicative of learning mechanisms practiced by our last common ancestor. 2013 English text University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1384850953 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1384850953 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.
collection NDLTD
language English
sources NDLTD
topic Physical Anthropology
bonobo
gesture
language evolution
spellingShingle Physical Anthropology
bonobo
gesture
language evolution
Malone, MaryLauren
The Gestural Communication of Bonobos (Pan paniscus): Implications for the Evolution of Language
author Malone, MaryLauren
author_facet Malone, MaryLauren
author_sort Malone, MaryLauren
title The Gestural Communication of Bonobos (Pan paniscus): Implications for the Evolution of Language
title_short The Gestural Communication of Bonobos (Pan paniscus): Implications for the Evolution of Language
title_full The Gestural Communication of Bonobos (Pan paniscus): Implications for the Evolution of Language
title_fullStr The Gestural Communication of Bonobos (Pan paniscus): Implications for the Evolution of Language
title_full_unstemmed The Gestural Communication of Bonobos (Pan paniscus): Implications for the Evolution of Language
title_sort gestural communication of bonobos (pan paniscus): implications for the evolution of language
publisher University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK
publishDate 2013
url http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1384850953
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