Assessing the uniqueness of language: Animal grammatical abilities take center stage.

摘要: Questions related to the uniqueness of language can only be addressed properly by referring sound knowledge relevant cognitive abilities nonhuman animals. A key question concerns nature and extent animal rule-learning abilities. I discuss two approaches used assess these One is comparing structures vocalizations linguistic ones, another addressing grammatical rule- pattern-learning animals through experiments using artificial grammars. Neither has so far provided unambiguous evidence advanced However, when we consider how are analyzed, types stimuli tasks that in grammar learning experiments, limited number species examined, groups which belong, argue currently available insufficient arrive at firm conclusions concerning limitations As a consequence, gap between human those may smaller less clear than assumed. This means it still an open whether difference rule abstraction humans played role evolution language.