Cogprints

Symbols are not uniquely human

Ribeiro, Sidarta and Loula, Angelo and Araújo, Ivan and Gudwin, Ricardo and Queiroz, Joao (2006) Symbols are not uniquely human. [Journal (Paginated)] (In Press)

This is the latest version of this eprint.

Full text available as:

[img]
Preview
 PDF
741Kb

Abstract

Modern semiotics is a branch of logics that formally defines symbol-based communication. In recent years, the semiotic classification of signs has been invoked to support the notion that symbols are uniquely human. Here we show that alarm-calls such as those used by African vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops), logically satisfy the semiotic definition of symbol. We also show that the acquisition of vocal symbols in vervet monkeys can be successfully simulated by a computer program based on minimal semiotic and neurobiological constraints. The simulations indicate that learning depends on the tutor-predator ratio, and that apprentice-generated auditory mistakes in vocal symbol interpretation have little effect on the learning rates of apprentices (up to 80% of mistakes are tolerated). In contrast, just 10% of apprentice-generated visual mistakes in predator identification will prevent any vocal symbol to be correctly associated with a predator call in a stable manner. Tutor unreliability was also deleterious to vocal symbol learning: a mere 5% of “lying” tutors were able to completely disrupt symbol learning, invariably leading to the acquisition of incorrect associations by apprentices. Our investigation corroborates the existence of vocal symbols in a non-human species, and indicates that symbolic competence emerges spontaneously from classical associative learning mechanisms when the conditioned stimuli are self-generated, arbitrary and socially efficacious. We propose that more exclusive properties of human language, such as syntax, may derive from the evolution of higher-order domains for neural association, more removed from both the sensory input and the motor output, able to support the gradual complexification of grammatical categories into syntax.

Item Type:Journal (Paginated)
Keywords:symbols, semiotic and neurobiological constraints, computer simulation of symbol learning
Subjects:Computer Science > Language
Biology > Ethology
Neuroscience > Computational Neuroscience
Neuroscience > Behavioral Neuroscience
Biology > Theoretical Biology
Biology > Animal Behavior
Neuroscience > Neurolinguistics
Philosophy > Philosophy of Language
Neuroscience > Neural Modelling
Biology > Animal Cognition
Psychology > Comparative Psychology
Computer Science > Artificial Intelligence
Linguistics > Learnability
Philosophy > Epistemology
ID Code:5251
Deposited By: Loula, Angelo
Deposited On:07 Nov 2006
Last Modified:11 Mar 2011 08:56

Available Versions of this Item

  • Symbols are not uniquely human. (deposited 07 Nov 2006) [Currently Displayed]

References in Article

Select the SEEK icon to attempt to find the referenced article. If it does not appear to be in cogprints you will be forwarded to the paracite service. Poorly formated references will probably not work.

Arensburg, B., Tillier, A., 1991. Speech and the Neanderthals. Endeavour 15(1), 26-28.

Arensburg, B., Tillier, A.M., et al., 1989. A Middle Palaeolithic human hyoid bone. Nature 338(6218), 758-760.

Bergman, T.J., Beehner, J.C., et al., 2003. Hierarchical classification by rank and kinship in baboons. Science 302(5648), 1234-1236.

Bickerton, D., 2003. Symbol and structure: a comprehensive framework for language evolution. In: Christiansen, M.H., Kirby, S., (Eds.), Language Evolution: The States of the Art, Oxford University Press.

Cheney, D.L., R., S., 1990. How Monkeys See the World. Chicago, University of Chicago Press.

Cheney, D.L., Seyfarth, R.M., 1998. Why monkeys don't have language. In: Petersen, G., (Ed.) The Tanner Lectures on Human Values.University of Utah Press, Salt Lake City. 19, pp.173-210.

Deacon, T.W., 1997. The symbolic species: The co-evolution of language and brain. New York, W.W. Norton Company.

Deacon, T.W., 2003. Universal grammar and semiotic constraints. In: Christiansen, M.H., Kirby, S., (Eds.), Language Evolution.Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Feldman, J., 2000. Minimization of Boolean complexity in human concept learning. Nature 407(6804), 630-633.

Gannon, P.J., Holloway, R.L., et al., 1998. Asymmetry of chimpanzee planum temporale: humanlike pattern of Wernicke's brain language area homolog. Science 279(5348), 220-2.

Griffin, D.R., 1992. Animal Minds. Chicago, The University of Chicago Press.

Hauser, M.D., 1997. The Evolution of Communication. Cambridge, MIT Press.

Hauser, M.D., 2000. A Primate Dictionary? Decoding the Function and Meaning of Another Species' Vocalizations. Cognitive Science 24(3.), 445-475.

Hebb, D.O., 1949. The Organization of Behavior: A Neuropsychological Theory. New York, John Wiley & Sons.

Herman, L.M., Kuczaj, S.A.n., et al., 1993. Responses to anomalous gestural sequences by a language-trained dolphin: evidence for processing of semantic relations and syntactic information. J. Exp. Psychol. Gen. 122(2), 184-194.

Jarvis, E.D., 2004. Learned birdsong and the neurobiology of human language. Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 1016, 749-777.

Kaas, J.H., 2004. Evolution of somatosensory and motor cortex in primates. Anat. Rec. A. Discov. Mol. Cell. Evol. Biol. 281(1), 1148-1156.

Kaminski, J., Call, J., et al., 2004. Word learning in a domestic dog: evidence for "fast mapping". Science 304(5677), 1605-1606.

Langs, R., Badalamenti, A.F., et al., 1996. Two mathematically defined expressive language structures in humans and chimpanzees. Behav. Sci. 41(2), 124-135.

Lieberman, P., 1984. The biology and evolution of language. Cambridge, Harvard University Press.

Lieberman, P., 1998. Eve Spoke: Human language and human evolution. New York, W.W. Norton.

Lieberman, P., Crelin, E.S., 1971. On the speech of Neanderthal man. Linguistic Inquiry 2, 203-222.

Loula, A., Gudwin, R., et al., 2004. Symbolic Communication in Artificial Creatures: an experiment in Artificial Life. In: Bazzan, A., Labidi, S., (Eds.), 17th Brazilian Symposium on Artificial Intelligence - SBIA, São Luis, Brazil. Springer. Lecture Notes in Computer Science 3171, pp.336-345.

Loula, A., Gudwin, R., et al., 2003. A proposal for a synthetic approach of semiotic artificial creatures. In: de Castro, L.N., von Zuben, F.J., (Eds.), Recent Developments in Biologically Inspired Computing.Idea Group Publishing, Hershey, pp.270-300.

Naidich, T.P., Hof, P.R., et al., 2001. Anatomic substrates of language: emphasizing speech. Neuroimaging. Clin. N. Am. 11(2), 305-341.

Noble, W., Davidson, I., 1996. Human evolution, language and mind: a psychological and archaeological enquiry. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.

Peirce, C.S., 1958. Collected Papers of Charles Sanders Peirce. Cambridge, Mass., Harvard University Press.

Peirce, C.S., 1998. The Essential Peirce: selected philosophical writings. Bloomington, Indiana University Press.

Pepperberg, I.M., 2002. In search of king Solomon's ring: cognitive and communicative studies of Grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus). Brain Behav. Evol. 59(1-2), 54-67.

Queiroz, J., Ribeiro, S., 2002. The biological substrate of icons, indexes and symbols in animal communication. In: Shapiro, M., (Ed.) The Peirce Seminar Papers.Berghahn Books, Oxford, UK. 5, pp.69-78.

Ransdell, J., 1977. Some leading ideas of Peirce's semiotic. Semiotica 19(3), 157-178.

Richards, D.G., Wolz, J.P., et al., 1984. Vocal mimicry of computer-generated sounds and vocal labeling of objects by a bottlenosed dolphin, Tursiops truncatus. J. Comp. Psychol. 98(1), 10-28.

Savage-Rumbaugh, E.S., Rumbaugh, D.M., et al., 1978. Symbolic communication between two chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Science 201(4356), 641-4.

Savage-Rumbaugh, S., Romsky, M.A., et al., 1989. Symbol acquisitionand use by Pan troglodytes, Pan paniscus, Homo sapiens. In: Heltne, P.G., Marquardt, L.A., (Eds.), Understanding chimpanzees.Harvard University Press, pp.266-295.

Seyfarth, R.M., Cheney, D.L., 1980. The ontogeny of vervet monkey alarm-calling behavior: A preliminary report. Zeitschrift fur Tierpsychologie 54, 37-56.

Seyfarth, R.M., Cheney, D.L., 1986. Vocal development in vervet monkeys. Animal Behaviour 34, 1640-1658.

Seyfarth, R.M., Cheney, D.L., 1997. Some general features of vocal development. in nonhuman primates. In: Social influences on vocal development. In: Snowdon, C.T., Hausberger, M., (Eds.).Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp.249-273.

Seyfarth, R.M., Cheney, D.L., et al., 1980. Monkey responses to three different alarm calls: evidence of predator classification and semantic communication. Science 210(4471), 801-3.

Struhsaker, T.T., 1967. Behavior of vervet monkeys and other cercopithecines. New data show structural uniformities in the gestures of semiarboreal and terrestrial cercopithecines. Science 156(779), 1197-203.

Struhsaker, T.T., Hunkeler, P., 1971. Evidence of tool-using by chimpanzees in the Ivory Coast. Folia Primatol 15(3), 212-219.

Vrba, E.S., 1988a. Ecological and adaptive changes associated with early hominid evolution. In: Delson, E., (Ed.) Ancestors: the hard evidence.Alan Liss, New York. 63-71.

Vrba, E.S., 1988b. Late pleistocence climatic events and hominid evolution. In: Grine, F.E., (Ed.) Evolutionary history of the 'robust' australopithecines.Adine de Gruyter, NY. 405-426.

Whiten, A., Goodall, J., et al., 1999. Cultures in chimpanzees. Nature 399(6737), 682-5.

Xia, L., Emmerton, J., et al., 2001. Pigeons (Columba livia) learn to link numerosities with symbols. J. Comp. Psychol. 115(1), 83-91.

Metadata

Repository Staff Only: item control page

Cogprints is powered by EPrints 3 which is developed by the School of Electronics and Computer Science at the University of Southampton. More information and software credits.