Evolution of Language. Continuity and Discontinuity through Models and Empirical Data

摘要: Abstract.  Over the last years, debate about language evolution has been dominated by functionalist models looking for continuity among various animal species to understand and its nature. In this work, I analyze theoretical mistakes of such approach, that ignoring structural body transformation does not allow application evolutionary methods study functions. Here propose a naturalistic based on Evo-Devo perspective, which considers biological constraints as necessary “mechanical trigger” upon function could have evolved. This framework, through examination comparative peripheral central structures vocal articulation, allows us both avoid functional leap in at same time, guarantee species-specificity language.