The Study of Human Language Chapter 1

Why is it difficult to agree with Psammetichus that Phrygian must have been the original Human Language?

Because the children most likely heard what the goats were saying and were able to contrive meaning from that.

Why do you think that young dead children who become fluent in sign language would be cited in support of the innateness hypothesis?

Because the innateness hypothesis suggests that the language understanding and speaking ability is hard-wired into humans from the time they are born.

Why are interjections such as Ouch considered to be unlikely sources of Human speech sounds?

Because these sounds are made on the inward draw of breath and not on the exhaling like most words in the human language. These words come from emotional experience.

With which of the six sources would you associate this quotation? "Chewing, licking and sucking are extremely widespread mammalian activities, which, in terms of casual observation, have obvious similarities with speech."

Best associates with the physical adaptation source

Where is the pharynx and how did it become an important part of Human sound production?

It is located above the vocal folds. It became important because it added a variety of range and clarity to the sounds that humans make in speaking, singing, etc.

What is the basic idea behind the "bow-wow" theory of language origin?

It is the theory that words that sound like the meaning come from the days of the cave men and women when this was how they could best communicate what they were trying to say.