Re: Singing as prerequisite (or aid) to language.

"Glen M. Sizemore" <gmsizemore2@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in
news:d8n48e$18mp$1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx:

> The Skinnerian (i.e., correct) view would be that singing and verbal
> behavior ("language" sort of) arose at the same time. Indeed, both
> would be verbal behavior by the Skinnerian definition. Simply put, all
> that is necessary is for the vocal musculature to come under control
> of operant contingencies. No doubt operant conditioning mechanisms
> were already highly advanced (i.e., we were already "smart") when the
> necessary mutation made the vocal musculature "conditionable."

Funny, Wikipedia doesn't list "correct" as any of the definitions of
Skinnerian :-). But since you put it so, I am happy to learn that gibbons
and nightingales (to name a few) have language.

The alternative hypothesis is that we had singing before we became
linguistic, and our ancestors coopted and expanded the vocal control
mechanisms to enhance their linguistic capabilities.


Yours,

Bill Morse






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Relevant Pages

  • Re: Singing as prerequisite (or aid) to language.
    ... view would be that singing and ... > behavior ("language" sort of) arose at the same time. ... > would be verbal behavior by the Skinnerian definition. ... In some song acquisition, it appears that hearing the song ...
    (sci.bio.evolution)
  • Re: Singing as prerequisite (or aid) to language.
    ... The Skinnerian view would be that singing and verbal ... behavior ("language" sort of) arose at the same time. ... verbal behavior by the Skinnerian definition. ... > he thought the development/practice of songs may well have ...
    (sci.bio.evolution)
  • Re: Singing as prerequisite (or aid) to language.
    ... > verbal behavior by the Skinnerian definition. ... > necessary is for the vocal musculature to come under control of operant ... No doubt operant conditioning mechanisms were already highly ...
    (sci.bio.evolution)