Journal of Evolutionary Psychology
Volume/Issue:
Volume 8: Issue 4
Evolutionary psychology and the origins of language
(Editorial for the special issue of Journal of Evolutionary Psychology on the evolution of language)
Author:
Thomas C. Scott-Phillips School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 3 Charles Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9AD, UK

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Pages:
289–307
Online Publication Date:
01 Dec 2010
Publication Date:
01 Dec 2010
Article Category:
Research Article
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1556/jep.8.2010.4.7
Keywords:
evolution; language; Tinbergen; linguistics; function
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Abstract

A naïve observer would be forgiven for assuming that the field of language evolution would, in terms of its scope and methodologies, look much like the field of evolutionary psychology, but with a particular emphasis on language. However, this is not the case. This editorial outlines some reasons why such a research agenda has not so far been pursued in any large-scale or systematic way, and briefly discusses one foundational aspect of that agenda, the question of evolutionary function. This background provides context for an introduction of the articles that appear in this special issue on the evolution of language.

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Cover Journal of Evolutionary Psychology
Journal of Evolutionary Psychology
Print ISSN:
1789-2082
Online ISSN:
2060-5587

Journal of Evolutionary Psychology 
Language English
Size  
Year of
Foundation		 2007 (2003)
Publication
Programme		 changed title
Volumes
per Year		  
Issues
per Year		  
Founder Akadémiai Kiadó
Founder's
Address		 H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 1516 Budapest, PO Box 245.
Publisher Akadémiai Kiadó
Publisher's
Address		 H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 1516 Budapest, PO Box 245.
Responsible
Publisher		 Chief Executive Officer, Akadémiai Kiadó
ISSN 1789-2082 (Print)
ISSN 2060-5587 (Online)

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