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The Gestural Communication of Bonobos (Pan paniscus): Implications for the Evolution of Language

Year: 2013
Type: article
Abstract: Primate studies allow us to examine origins of language because the methods of communication exhibited by living great apes may be similar to interactions of our last common ancestor.The study of homologous traits permits inferences about early human behavior that would otherwise be unsubstantiated speculation.The chimpanzee-bonobo clade shares approximately 98.8% of DNA with humans, making the genus Pan an excellent comparative group to study the origins of language.The three categories of gestures include auditory, tactile, and visual contact with the recipient.Arbib, Liebal and Pika (2008) suggest the modified gestural origins theory in which they state that imitation and pantomime dominated the early evolutionary stages of gesturing.The theory proposes that practical manual skills promoted complex imitation, followed by pantomime, which in turn allowed for rich gestural communication.An observational study conducted by Pika et al. (2005) generated a gestural repertoire of two bonobo groups, thereby providing a framework for understanding flexibility and variability of gesture use.Flexibility refers to the performance of the same action within different social contexts, while variability describes the range of multiple gestures within a repertoire.The present study aims to expand the current knowledge of gestural communication among bonobos.Additionally, this research will test the possibility there are other gestures outside of the previous study's inventory.Evidence of both similar and novel gestures from an independent group of bonobos would support claims that gesture usage is variable across groups, and may be indicative of learning mechanisms practiced by our last common ancestor.
Language: English
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2696107862
FWCI:
Cites: 50
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Related to: 10