11

Evolutionary Semiotics:Evolutionary Semiotics:How the Sign Use of Human How the Sign Use of Human

Came aboutCame about

11th Early Fall School of Semiotics 11th Early Fall School of Semiotics “Semiotics of Genre”“Semiotics of Genre”

September 10-16, 2005September 10-16, 2005Sozopol (Bulgaria)Sozopol (Bulgaria)

Wolfgang Wildgen, Bremen (Germany)

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Introductory remarksIntroductory remarksYesterday, I have shown how dynamical structures Yesterday, I have shown how dynamical structures are relevant even for the analysis of pictures which are relevant even for the analysis of pictures which were traditionally considered as a typical example of were traditionally considered as a typical example of static sign-structures. In this context, it became static sign-structures. In this context, it became already clear that the underlying capacities of already clear that the underlying capacities of vision/manual action and audition/articulation have vision/manual action and audition/articulation have strong links, although deep functional differences strong links, although deep functional differences show up.show up.Today, I will make a radical move by considering the Today, I will make a radical move by considering the most far-reaching dynamics one can consider in most far-reaching dynamics one can consider in linguistics: the evolution of human language and the linguistics: the evolution of human language and the underlying capacity (faculté de language, Saussure).underlying capacity (faculté de language, Saussure).– Less far-reaching dynamics are those encountered in the Less far-reaching dynamics are those encountered in the

(cultural) evolution of language families or of a specific (cultural) evolution of language families or of a specific language,language,

– The individual acquisition of a primary or a secondary The individual acquisition of a primary or a secondary language.language.

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Part IPart I

The Evolution of a The Evolution of a ProtolanguageProtolanguage

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An informed guess of the shape An informed guess of the shape of protolanguageof protolanguage

I shall try to respond to the following I shall try to respond to the following questions:questions:What is the most plausible evolutionary era What is the most plausible evolutionary era in which a protolanguage existed?in which a protolanguage existed?Can artifacts: stone tools, engravings, Can artifacts: stone tools, engravings, paintings tell us something about the paintings tell us something about the cognitive basis of a protolanguage (as one cognitive basis of a protolanguage (as one symbolic form among others)?symbolic form among others)?Does the anatomical change of hominids Does the anatomical change of hominids give hints to the shape of a protolanguage?give hints to the shape of a protolanguage?

55

The idea of a protolanguage and The idea of a protolanguage and the methodology of reconstructionthe methodology of reconstruction

Since Darwin’s theory of evolution (theoretically already since Since Darwin’s theory of evolution (theoretically already since Lylell’s “transformationalism” against Cuvier’s “catastrophism’”) Lylell’s “transformationalism” against Cuvier’s “catastrophism’”) the basic idea is that of a continuous evolution (i.e., moved by the basic idea is that of a continuous evolution (i.e., moved by infinitesimal steps). Applied to language, it derives linguistic infinitesimal steps). Applied to language, it derives linguistic capacities in a continuous series of steps from communicational capacities in a continuous series of steps from communicational habits and intellectual capacities of mammals (and animals in habits and intellectual capacities of mammals (and animals in general). general). Derek Bickerton assumes an internal stratification of human Derek Bickerton assumes an internal stratification of human language capacity, which recapitulates (and thus indicates) an language capacity, which recapitulates (and thus indicates) an evolutionary stratification. Basically he presupposes an additive evolutionary stratification. Basically he presupposes an additive effect of evolution, i.e., early developed forms of behavior persist effect of evolution, i.e., early developed forms of behavior persist and constitute the stable platform on which later forms rest. He and constitute the stable platform on which later forms rest. He formulates his methodology as follows:formulates his methodology as follows:““If there indeed exists a more primitive variety of language If there indeed exists a more primitive variety of language alongside fully developed human language, then the task of alongside fully developed human language, then the task of accounting for the origins of language is made much easier. No accounting for the origins of language is made much easier. No longer do we have to hypothesize some gargantuan leap from longer do we have to hypothesize some gargantuan leap from speechlessness to full language, a leap so vast and abrupt that speechlessness to full language, a leap so vast and abrupt that evolutionary theory would be hard to put to account for it.” evolutionary theory would be hard to put to account for it.” (Bickerton, 1990: 128)(Bickerton, 1990: 128)

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Any analysis of the evolution of language should Any analysis of the evolution of language should strictly follow the general strategy and strictly follow the general strategy and methodology of post-Darwinian theory including methodology of post-Darwinian theory including the results of modern genetics. I will consider the the results of modern genetics. I will consider the traces of semiotic activity of hominids and early traces of semiotic activity of hominids and early man until the upcoming of writing systems as man until the upcoming of writing systems as data for the reconstruction of intermediate forms data for the reconstruction of intermediate forms of human language. This of human language. This directdirect strategy has two strategy has two consequences:consequences:Insofar as the contours of early semiotic Insofar as the contours of early semiotic capacities can be reconstructed from artifacts capacities can be reconstructed from artifacts and art, one can only infer the semantics and art, one can only infer the semantics (perhaps the pragmatics) of a earlier language (perhaps the pragmatics) of a earlier language capacity, not its lexicon or syntax.capacity, not its lexicon or syntax.As the artefacts point rather to the cognitive level As the artefacts point rather to the cognitive level than to the level of linguistic expression, the than to the level of linguistic expression, the reconstructed semantics must be a type of reconstructed semantics must be a type of cognitivecognitive semantics (although it differs from semantics (although it differs from current cognitive theories which have no current cognitive theories which have no evolutionary dimension).evolutionary dimension).

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Anatomical evolution and the shape Anatomical evolution and the shape of a protolanguageof a protolanguage

The control of a larger area, the use of centers for The control of a larger area, the use of centers for communal life, the systematic expansion into new communal life, the systematic expansion into new areas presupposes high ecological flexibility and areas presupposes high ecological flexibility and a global spatial orientation. It seems therefore a global spatial orientation. It seems therefore highly plausible that advanced Homo erectus who highly plausible that advanced Homo erectus who migrated to Europe and Asia had the cognitive migrated to Europe and Asia had the cognitive and social capacity for symbol use, i.e., for a and social capacity for symbol use, i.e., for a language which probably was organized vocally language which probably was organized vocally with gestural cues. The power of motor imitation with gestural cues. The power of motor imitation in the learning of techniques, gestures and in the learning of techniques, gestures and phonations was already given to higher primates phonations was already given to higher primates (cf. the existence of mirror-neurons). Thus the (cf. the existence of mirror-neurons). Thus the cognitive, social and behavioral presuppositions cognitive, social and behavioral presuppositions for language were given.for language were given. The basic question: Did they speak a language? The basic question: Did they speak a language? can only be answered probabilistically: As all can only be answered probabilistically: As all conditions were given, they probably did.conditions were given, they probably did.

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Can artifacts tell us something about a Can artifacts tell us something about a protolanguage?protolanguage?

In fact, first stone axes were produced around 2, 0 my (the In fact, first stone axes were produced around 2, 0 my (the so-called pebble culture). Whereas chimpanzees may use a so-called pebble culture). Whereas chimpanzees may use a stone to open a nut or fit a branch for the “fishing” of stone to open a nut or fit a branch for the “fishing” of termites, the pebble culture asks for the use of a stone or termites, the pebble culture asks for the use of a stone or bone to chock another one, in order to produce a sharp edge bone to chock another one, in order to produce a sharp edge on the pebble, i.e., a tool is used to produce a specific shape on the pebble, i.e., a tool is used to produce a specific shape (fitted to a large number of uses). Probably other materials (fitted to a large number of uses). Probably other materials (bone, wood, fur) were again shaped using the primitive (bone, wood, fur) were again shaped using the primitive stone axes.stone axes.Artefacts are not only hints at the cognitive level of humans, Artefacts are not only hints at the cognitive level of humans, they are also linked to social life. In order to produce they are also linked to social life. In order to produce artifacts and to keep fire, a socially organized exploitation of artifacts and to keep fire, a socially organized exploitation of the environment, a division of labor and a mode of social the environment, a division of labor and a mode of social distribution of products must be in place. This asks for rules distribution of products must be in place. This asks for rules of collective behavior and language as a kind of rule-of collective behavior and language as a kind of rule-governed social behavior not only helps to represent and governed social behavior not only helps to represent and enact social behavior, it is quasi the symbolic representation enact social behavior, it is quasi the symbolic representation of social behavior.of social behavior.

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The semantics of space and time The semantics of space and time in a protolanguagein a protolanguage

The representation of space has to do with frontiers (their The representation of space has to do with frontiers (their transition) and perspectives. transition) and perspectives. A first perspective is centrifugal, i.e., starting from the self A first perspective is centrifugal, i.e., starting from the self and its basic bodily motions an ‘experienced’ three and its basic bodily motions an ‘experienced’ three dimensional space is cognized: front – behind (go), above – dimensional space is cognized: front – behind (go), above – below (climb, fall), left – right (grasp with the left hand or the below (climb, fall), left – right (grasp with the left hand or the right hand). This space of bodily motion with feet and arms right hand). This space of bodily motion with feet and arms defines the defines the immediateimmediate space, where objects may be reached space, where objects may be reached and manipulated. The and manipulated. The intermediateintermediate space depends on man’s space depends on man’s ecology; it can be the housing (the cave, abri) or the village; ecology; it can be the housing (the cave, abri) or the village; the the distaldistal space contains roughly all possible itineraries (of space contains roughly all possible itineraries (of hunting/gathering). hunting/gathering). The second perspective is centripetal, i.e., the self is seen as The second perspective is centripetal, i.e., the self is seen as the place of effect of external causes. The sky, the horizon the place of effect of external causes. The sky, the horizon (typical points where the sun sets or rises), the favored (typical points where the sun sets or rises), the favored direction of winds, the ridge of mountains may be the direction of winds, the ridge of mountains may be the external locus of orientation for the self, who is at the center external locus of orientation for the self, who is at the center of a force field or gradient implicit in these delimitations. of a force field or gradient implicit in these delimitations.

1010

Fig. 1: Force fields of centrifugal versus centripetal orientation.

self self

Horizon/skySpace of chase and gathering

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A protolanguage must categorize events A protolanguage must categorize events and actions (by proto-verbs) and must and actions (by proto-verbs) and must discriminate stable entities (by proto-discriminate stable entities (by proto-nouns). The question arises, if temporal, nouns). The question arises, if temporal, dynamic, quantitative, qualitative relations dynamic, quantitative, qualitative relations between them can be mastered and to between them can be mastered and to what degree. what degree. I will argue that there are intrinsic I will argue that there are intrinsic complexity barriers which could have complexity barriers which could have blocked the elaboration of a blocked the elaboration of a protolanguage for a long (evolutionary) protolanguage for a long (evolutionary) time-span, say 0,5 my.time-span, say 0,5 my.

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Representation of actions and eventsRepresentation of actions and eventsThe action-concept GRASP involves two stable entities: The action-concept GRASP involves two stable entities: the body (the hand) and the object. Every point on the the body (the hand) and the object. Every point on the lines in Fig. lines in Fig. 22 is an attractor, i.e., the perception of a is an attractor, i.e., the perception of a stable entity in the 30 msec window. The whole schema stable entity in the 30 msec window. The whole schema should fit into the 3 sec window, e.g., in the sentence: should fit into the 3 sec window, e.g., in the sentence: The fatherThe father took took the bookthe book (from the table) (cf. Pöppel, (from the table) (cf. Pöppel, 1994 and 1997 for the neurological evidence)1994 and 1997 for the neurological evidence)

Fig. 2:Fig. 2: Catastrophe schema of GRASP.Catastrophe schema of GRASP.

The book

The father

Catastrophe of capture

The father (having the book)

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One may distinguish three ways of grasping:One may distinguish three ways of grasping:

the force grip (e.g., of a branch)the force grip (e.g., of a branch)

the precision grip (e.g., of a small tool)the precision grip (e.g., of a small tool)

the refined grip (e.g., of a needle)the refined grip (e.g., of a needle)

finger

thumb

object

Force-grip

Precision-grip

finger

thumb

Fig. 3: Topological difference between power grip and precision grip.

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First principle of a protolanguageFirst principle of a protolanguage

The GRASP schema constitutes a The GRASP schema constitutes a structured (bivalent) action schema structured (bivalent) action schema with a long evolutionary history and with a long evolutionary history and includes a manner specification includes a manner specification categorized on topological cues.categorized on topological cues.

As the distinction between several precision As the distinction between several precision grips shows, more elaboration appears as grips shows, more elaboration appears as soon as more precise manipulations on soon as more precise manipulations on objects and instruments are developed.objects and instruments are developed.

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Second principle of a Second principle of a protolanguageprotolanguage

The topologico-dynamical schema of The topologico-dynamical schema of grasping assembles grasping assembles causal/enabling/intentional meaning causal/enabling/intentional meaning components, which are necessarily components, which are necessarily present in the purposeful shaping of present in the purposeful shaping of a tool and it sets the ground of force-a tool and it sets the ground of force-dynamics in phonic languagedynamics in phonic language

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Restriction on valence Restriction on valence complexitycomplexity

The iteration of basic action The iteration of basic action schemata presents a barrier of schemata presents a barrier of complexity as the composition is complexity as the composition is not dynamically stable.not dynamically stable.

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Order of emergenceOrder of emergenceThe order of emergence of grammatical The order of emergence of grammatical features transcending these restrictions features transcending these restrictions could have been:could have been:elaboration of valence patterns (up to elaboration of valence patterns (up to valence 3 or even 4),valence 3 or even 4),elaboration of the manner component,elaboration of the manner component,elaboration of the TMA-component.elaboration of the TMA-component.

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The Design of Lithic InstrumentsThe Design of Lithic InstrumentsThe industry had to consider the The industry had to consider the

following factors:following factors:Form and quality of a stone found Form and quality of a stone found (this includes a geographic knowledge (this includes a geographic knowledge of places, where they may be found).of places, where they may be found).Splitting of the stone and isolation of Splitting of the stone and isolation of the kernel.the kernel.Separation of sharp blades from the Separation of sharp blades from the kernel.kernel.Use of instruments for choking stone Use of instruments for choking stone on one side and use of stone on one side and use of stone instruments for the manufucturing of instruments for the manufucturing of other instruments (bone and wood).other instruments (bone and wood).

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„Chopper“ of the Olduwai.-culture

East-Africa

2020

Handaxe in the early Paleolithicum

(above)

Abbévillien-

Biface (Le Stade)

Le Champs de Mars

(below)

Middle

Acheuléen

(Saint Acheul)

(cf. Weiner, 1972: 130)

Abbévillien= 600.000-350.000, second glacial period; Acheuléen= 350.000-100.000; third glacial period

2121

(left) Moustérien; until 40.000, fourth glacial period; Charente

(middle), La Quina

(right) , La Quina (all in the Mousterian period)

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Blades from the Solutréen

Blades from the Magdalénien

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Stages of Stages of glaciationsglaciations(measured by (measured by isotopes of isotopes of oxygen)oxygen)

ky BPky BP Lithic Lithic technologiestechnologies(Neanderthals, (Neanderthals, recent man)recent man)

Stylistic periods of cave art Stylistic periods of cave art in France (recent man)in France (recent man)

InterglacialInterglacial(5e)(5e)

128-128-118118

Core/chopping Core/chopping tooltool

Early Early glacial/temperateglacial/temperate

(5d-a) (5d-a)

118-75118-75 Flake, Flake, core/chopping core/chopping tooltool

Early glacial, Early glacial, glacial glacial (4,3)(4,3)

75-3275-32 Handaxes, Handaxes, scrapersscrapers

Full glacialFull glacial(2) (2)

32-1332-13 BladesBlades Perigordian (ca. 34 ky-Perigordian (ca. 34 ky-19 ky)19 ky)Aurignacian Aurignacian (33 ky- 18 ky)(33 ky- 18 ky)

Late glacialLate glacial(1)(1)

13-1013-10 Microlithic Microlithic elementselements

Solutrean (18 ky –16 ky)Solutrean (18 ky –16 ky)Magdalenian (16 ky – Magdalenian (16 ky – 10 ky)10 ky)

Current Current interglacialinterglacial

10-010-0

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Beyond the grasp-scenarioBeyond the grasp-scenario

Agent

Instrument

Object (pebble)

Substracted piece

Fig. 4: Schema of shaping an object with an instrument via subtraction.

As a consequence catastrophe theoretical semantics (cf. Wildgen, 1982 and 1994) contains implicitly an evolutionary stratification of human sign use and language.

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The restriction on the complexity The restriction on the complexity of (nominal) phrasesof (nominal) phrases

The head and its attribute (or non-The head and its attribute (or non-determiner specifier) are of the same basic determiner specifier) are of the same basic type (nominal/adjectival) and the type (nominal/adjectival) and the restriction primarily concern the risk of restriction primarily concern the risk of blending two or more semantic spaces. If blending two or more semantic spaces. If every noun or adjective is associated with every noun or adjective is associated with a place in a semantic space (e.g., kinship, a place in a semantic space (e.g., kinship, color, age, evaluation) then the mapping color, age, evaluation) then the mapping of one place in space A (say: father) to one of one place in space A (say: father) to one place in space B (say: old) is a problem place in space B (say: old) is a problem insofar as the spaces are different and insofar as the spaces are different and may not be combined simply to a conjunct may not be combined simply to a conjunct space A x B.space A x B.

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Conclusions for Part IConclusions for Part IThe grammar of a protolanguage specifies three The grammar of a protolanguage specifies three

hierarchically scaled levels of primary hierarchically scaled levels of primary categorization:categorization:Stable entitiesStable entities (no change in the perceptual and (no change in the perceptual and classificatory time window and recurrence as classificatory time window and recurrence as pattern (statistical relevance),pattern (statistical relevance),dynamic aspects dynamic aspects of entities in change and motionof entities in change and motion ((inchoative, egressive, durative), andinchoative, egressive, durative), andbivalentbivalent GRASP-schema GRASP-schema with qualitative change with qualitative change (capture or emission).(capture or emission).

The restriction principles may explain why further The restriction principles may explain why further conditions of control on the combinatorial conditions of control on the combinatorial /mapping /blending semantics had to evolve in /mapping /blending semantics had to evolve in order to arrive at a more complex and less order to arrive at a more complex and less context dependent grammar, i.e., at a full-context dependent grammar, i.e., at a full-fletched language, and why this took the time it fletched language, and why this took the time it took.took.

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Part IIPart II

Symbolic Evolution in the late Symbolic Evolution in the late PaleolithicPaleolithic

Referential art and abstract Referential art and abstract symbolssymbols

2828

Rock engravings and later plastic art in Rock engravings and later plastic art in stone may be understood as the origin of stone may be understood as the origin of representational art. representational art. As this line also leads to the invention As this line also leads to the invention abstract (mnemotechnically motivated) abstract (mnemotechnically motivated) signs and finally to writing, the modern signs and finally to writing, the modern cultures of fine arts and literature have their cultures of fine arts and literature have their origin in Paleolithic symbol techniques. origin in Paleolithic symbol techniques. Color was originally used for body-painting, Color was originally used for body-painting, later in the context of funeral practices, and later in the context of funeral practices, and finally in the art of caves (after 40.000 BP)finally in the art of caves (after 40.000 BP)

The origin of art in rock-engravings

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Combination Combination (and (and separation) separation) of pictorial of pictorial and abstract and abstract signs in the signs in the Paleolithic Paleolithic period.period.

(cf. J. Jelinek, (cf. J. Jelinek, 1975, 433)1975, 433)

3030

Styled Styled RepresentatRepresentations of ions of handshands

Cave Santian Cave Santian (Spain)).(Spain)).

3131

Abstract representations of humans

Russia

3232

Paleolithic SculpturesPaleolithic Sculptures

Representations of women (so called „Venus of Willendorf“, Austria

3333

Paleolithic cave paintingPaleolithic cave paintingGeographic distributionGeographic distribution

The so called „franco-cantabric culture“

3434

Drawing techniquesDrawing techniques

Monochrome drawing of a horse (Peña de Candamo)

3535

Polychrome pictures in the Polychrome pictures in the Cave Chauvet (France)Cave Chauvet (France)

Battle between two rhinozeros

3636A group of chasing lions; Cave Chauvet

3737

A bison which turns ist head in attack;

cave Chauvet

3838

Details of horses

3939

Methonymic abstraction Methonymic abstraction

Giant deerContours of a deer’s head

Sketch of a deer’s head

4040

A list of abstract symbolsA list of abstract symbols

Tectiform symbols

1-16;

1-10 Dordogne ( Les Eyzies)

11-16: Northern Spain (Altamira, Castillo, u.a.)

17 23: isolated signs

4141

Art of the Levante (Spain) ca. 9-8 000 BP

4242

Transition to the Meso- und Transition to the Meso- und NeolithicNeolithic

Norhtern Sahara (Kargur Talh) (Neolithic 4-5. Thou. B.C.)

4343

From object-language to writingFrom object-language to writing

Between 8000 BC and 3000 BC very simple Between 8000 BC and 3000 BC very simple „object languages“, where small-scale „object languages“, where small-scale sculptures represent their objects, existged.sculptures represent their objects, existged.Later two-dimensional contours represented Later two-dimensional contours represented the object-signs included in a jar.the object-signs included in a jar.They finally lead to the first systems which They finally lead to the first systems which may truly be called writing systems. These may truly be called writing systems. These presuppose the political and economic presuppose the political and economic organization of the first empires and cities.organization of the first empires and cities.Cf. Schmandt-Besserat (1978: 82)Cf. Schmandt-Besserat (1978: 82)

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Transition to writing (the last 10.000 Transition to writing (the last 10.000 years)years)

Original functions:Original functions:•RepresentationRepresentation of objects for the of objects for the purpose of bookkeeping (a sign stands purpose of bookkeeping (a sign stands for an object in the economic world)for an object in the economic world)•Creation of a representational universe Creation of a representational universe of discourse (where the buying, selling, of discourse (where the buying, selling, transfer., loss etc. of objects is transfer., loss etc. of objects is represented).represented).•Calculation (origin of mathematics)Calculation (origin of mathematics)

4545

Early object-symbols (choice from a field of 12 categories)

4646

Hieroglyphs in EgyptHieroglyphs in Egypt

Signs for concrete contents

Signs for processes

4747

Further developments in EgyptFurther developments in EgyptHieroglyphs:

First simplifications in the 3rd millenium B.C.

Hieratic :

Latest text 3rd century AD

Demotic:

Latest text: 476 AD

4848

ConclusionsConclusionsThere is a line which leads continously There is a line which leads continously from artifact-industries already from artifact-industries already presupposing the semantics and presupposing the semantics and pragmatics of a natural language to art, pragmatics of a natural language to art, writing and mathematics.writing and mathematics.The basic principles which organize these The basic principles which organize these levels of semiotic evolution should be levels of semiotic evolution should be formulated in a common language.formulated in a common language.Such a scientific language must have Such a scientific language must have geometrical and combinatorial powers.geometrical and combinatorial powers.