Headline, December25, 2013

''' EVOLUTION : FIRST CAME 

MOVEMENTS AND NOT SOUNDS '''

Signalling by facial and vocal expressions is ubiquitous among primates  -who, in this context, include mankind.

The researchers' hypothesis was that the meaning of expressions has been hard wired by evolution whereas the meaning of gestures is learnt and, at least to some extent, is arbitrary.

If that were true, particular sorts of of facial and vocal expression would occur only in particular contexts, and that this would be consistent across groups and even species.

The same gestures, by contrast, would be used in different contexts.

The researchers found exactly what they expected. Expressions  -''silent bared teeth'''-   -''relaxed open mouth''- , ''pant hoot''  and so on, almost always occurred in the same contexts in different groups and different species.

Gestures   ''hard touch'' ,  ''reach out side'',  ''slap ground'' etc did not.

Half of the gestures Dr Pollick and Dr de Waal regularly observed seemed to have completely different meanings in the two species. 

Moreover, even within a single group, the meaning of a gesture could vary with context, almost as tone of voice can vary the meaning of a human's spoken word.

If a chimpanzee is involved in a fight, for example,  ''reach out side'' means he is requesting support.

If he makes this gesture to an acquaintance who is eating, he is asking to share the meal.

Lest such distinction sound trite and obvious to humans   -who are, after all, the animal kingdom's premier communicators  -it is worth remembering that even monkeys cannot manage this sort of thing.

It is also worth remembering that gesture is still crucial part of human language, even for those with normal hearing.

The old joke that the way to render an Italian speechless is to tie his hands together has a kernel of truth in it.

Evolution does not come up with complicated structures in a single leap. They are built up step-by-step. 

This study suggests that the step of speech may have been built on mental attributes that were acquired millions of years ago:

When the ancestors of apes and men began to wave meaningfully at each other.

With respectful dedication to the Students, Professors and Teachers of the world. See Ya all on !WOW! the world students society Computers-Internet-Wireless:

''' Gestures Of Great Intent '''

Good Night & God Bless!

SAM Daily Times - the Voice of the Voiceless