Origin of language in the brain

2000/07/18 Roa Zubia, Guillermo - Elhuyar Zientzia

• Anatomia/Fisiologia

The corners and slits of the brain are dark. Although it is capable of storing much information, we have not yet understood or found the mechanism. However, having control of the most striking functions of the body, it has been the subject of many experiments. Researchers have had a special attitude to the brain. In the definition of death it is essential to mention the brain. But how does it work? It can be said that we know much more about how to keep vision or memory than about the processes of language use. Science has published a compilation of the three main theories of language origin.

Language is a capacity that fascinates us. We have the ability to speak different languages, including those we learn when we are adults. It is a very surprising fact. Through language, the human being has the capacity to understand and express in childhood more complex information than any other species. But how does information build up in the brain and change it? The truth is that we have to recognize that biologically we find it very difficult to know what the language is.

From the point of view of linguists

Throughout history there have been three major trends to investigate the relationship between language and brain. One of them has been analyzed from the point of view of linguists. This model was launched by American linguist Noam Chomsky and his colleagues 50 years ago, when in theory, at least, sounds and meanings were somehow associated. We know a lot about grammar. These tree diagrams we drew at school are very representative, as they show the hierarchical character of language.

An important fact that we know is that language is managed in the brain. This data is very accepted, but it is not evident. From there things are complex. Most brain experiments have been performed on animals, but animals do not have the ability to use language. Therefore, these experiments have not clarified much the language. However, many data have been collected about the organization of neurons. In addition, methods have been developed to transform the brain into unopened image, such as MRI or electroencephalogram. These methods allow the brain to be seen “working”. At least we can know the part of the brain that is working by using language.

But the darkest point is the origin of language. There have been two clear trends. According to nativists, language is the result of our ability from birth. However, generalists consider language to be a direct consequence of education. It must be said that neither the first nor the last take into account evolutionism. From the point of view of nativists, nature has supplied the human brain with this ex machina characteristic, that is, because in reality the brain is so designed. Generalists do not accept Darwin's theory because they do not believe he has developed a linguistic management structure.

William H. Neurophysiologist Calvin and linguist Derek Bikerton, Lingua ex Machina, bring new contributions to this debate. The idea of writers is based on syntax. Syntax is believed to be a feature that makes different humans and animals. Before working on the syntax, they say, our ancestors only had "protolanguage". This protolanguage was a list of few unstructured words that met the need for basic communication. The authors of the book coincide with the native trend in syntax.

How do we get from the protolanguage? Development requires a biological starting point. In the case of syntax, Calvin and Bikerton consider that syntax was developed from complex brain systems due to its multiple evolutionary advantages. Anthropologists consider social relations an advantage. But also, developing other physical skills can be an advantage.

As research on the brain advances, even from other points of view, more things will come to light gradually. This type of research can be of great interest in other fields such as artificial intelligence.