Rose, D. (2006). A systemic functional approach to language evolution. Cambridge Archaeol J 16 (1). Vol 16(1), pp. 73-96.

Title
Title
The title of the publication or report
Title:
A systemic functional approach to language evolution
Issue
Issue
The name of the volume or issue
Issue:
Cambridge Archaeol J 16 (1)
Series
Series
The series the publication or report is included in
Series:
Cambridge Archaeological Journal
Volume
Volume
Volume number and part
Volume:
16 (1)
Page Start/End
Page Start/End
The start and end page numbers.
Page Start/End:
73 - 96
Biblio Note
Biblio Note
This is a Bibliographic record only.
Biblio Note
The ADS have no files for download on this page but further information is available online, normally as an electronic version maintained by the Publisher, or held in a larger collection such as an ADS Archive. Please refer to the DOI or URI listed in the Relations section of this record to locate the information you require. In the case of non-ADS resources, please be aware that we cannot advise further on availability.
Publication Type
Publication Type
The type of publication - report, monograph, journal article or chapter from a book
Publication Type:
Journal
Abstract
Abstract
The abstract describing the content of the publication or report
Abstract:
An approach to interpreting possible steps in language evolution is offered from systemic functional linguistic (SFL) theory. SFL models language at three levels from sounds to wordings to complex patterns of social discourse. Typological studies in this framework have shown striking commonalities at each level across languages, that are not yet adequately accounted for by existing models of language phylogenesis. Four conditions are suggested for developing explanatory models that may account for these linguistic phenomena. These include (a) a mechanism for reproducing complex cultural behaviours intergenerationally over extended time, (b) a sequence by which articulated wordings could evolve from non-linguistic primate communication, (c) extension of the functions of wording from enacting interpersonal interactions to representing speakers' experience, and (d) the emergence of complex patterns of discourse for delicately negotiating social relations, and for construing experience in genres such as narrative. These conditions are explored, and some possible steps in language evolution are suggested, that may be correlated with both linguistic research and archaeological models of cultural phases in human evolution. The aims of the article are to offer some useful tools to the field of language evolution, at the same time as indicating potential interpretations of existing work, using insights from SFL research.
Author
Author
The authors of this publication or report
Author:
David Rose
Year of Publication
Year of Publication
The year the book, article or report was published
Year of Publication:
2006
Source
Source
Where the record has come from or which dataset it was orginally included in.
Source:
Source icon
BIAB (The British & Irish Archaeological Bibliography (BIAB))
Relations
Relations
Other resources which are relevant to this publication or report
Relations:
URI: http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayJournal?jid=CAJ
Created Date
Created Date
The date the record of the pubication was first entered
Created Date:
03 Nov 2006