Waters Gabriel S, Fouts Roger S
University of New Mexico, Dept. of Linguistics, Humanities Building 526, Albuquerque, NM 87131-1196, USA.
Neurol Res. 2002 Mar;24(2):174-80. doi: 10.1179/016164102101199585.
Some theories concerning the evolution of language include a gestural stage prior to glottogenesis. These theories propose that connections observed between fine motor movements of the hands and mouth may be responsible for the transfer of human language from one that was primarily gestural to one that is spoken. The fine motor manipulation of objects by five captive chimpanzees was examined to determine whether sympathetic mouth movements accompanied fine and gross motor movements. Sympathetic mouth movements were observed significantly more often during fine motor manipulation for all five participants. A significant increase in the presence of sympathetic mouth movements was observed in behaviors along a continuum of precision of manipulation from precision grip to gross motor manipulation without prehension. The results are discussed in regard to current theories of language evolution and neurological processes.
一些关于语言进化的理论认为，在声门发声形成之前存在一个手势阶段。这些理论提出，观察到的手部和口部精细运动之间的联系，可能是人类语言从主要依靠手势转变为依靠口语的原因。研究了五只圈养黑猩猩对物体的精细运动操作，以确定精细和粗大运动时是否伴有同步的口部运动。在所有五名参与者的精细运动操作过程中，同步口部运动的观察频率明显更高。在从精确抓握到无抓握的粗大运动操作的连续操作精度行为中，同步口部运动的出现显著增加。结合当前的语言进化理论和神经学过程对结果进行了讨论。
