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From: keithd@cadovax.UUCP (Keith Doyle)
Newsgroups: net.origins
Subject: Re: Orphaned Response
Message-ID: <634@cadovax.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 23-May-85 21:22:07 EDT
Article-I.D.: cadovax.634
Posted: Thu May 23 21:22:07 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 27-May-85 07:21:16 EDT
References: <-41400@psivax.UUCP>, <14600014@hpfcrs.UUCP>
Organization: Contel Cado, Torrance, CA
Lines: 23

[...............]
>	You are confusing *capacity* and ability. Humans have a
>natural *capacity* to *learn* language, something which no other
>animal has ever been demonstrated to have. Humans only actual learn

Actually, this is not true.  Some chimpanzees have learned a form of
sign language, and have taught it to their offspring.  I guess what
you mean is, no other animal has ever demonstrated the ability to
speak verbally.

>Any idea what mutation or natural selection mechanism caused mammals which
>have no *capacity* for learning languages to somehow gain that ability?

I heard on a T.V. program recently that some scientists think that the
'hunter gatherer' form of society may derive considerable benifit from
vocal sound communication.  I believe some examples were given, but
unfortunately I can't remember what they were right now.  Maybe someone
else on the net saw the program, (a PBS program on communication or 
speech or something like that) or is familiar with other theories.

Keith Doyle
#  {ucbvax,ihnp4,decvax}!trwrb!cadovax!keithd