Language Diversity and Cognitive Development

The video explores major questions about the emergence and diversity of languages, highlighting that these questions are relatively recent in evolutionary terms. It discusses the sudden appearance of languages in the evolutionary record and the superficial nature of their diversity. The speaker presents a unique view on the computational basis of language, suggesting that all humans share fundamental cognitive capacities, despite apparent linguistic differences.

What are the two primary questions raised about languages in human sciences?

• What is the role of language in human evolution?

• How do languages influence culture and society?

• How do languages differ from one another?

• Why do languages exist and why are there so many?

Approximately how many years ago could questions about languages not be raised?

• 50,000 years ago

• 100,000 years ago

• 200,000 years ago

• 500,000 years ago

What is the speaker's view on the emergence of language?

• It was a gradual process over millions of years.

• It was a sudden development in evolutionary terms.

• It was influenced by cultural changes.

• It was a result of technological advancements.

How does the speaker describe the diversity of languages?

• As fundamentally different from each other.

• As a result of different evolutionary paths.

• As superficial variations of a single language.

• As a consequence of geographical isolation.

What might a Martian conclude about human languages?

• There is fundamentally one language with minor deviations.

• Languages are a result of cultural diversity.

• There are thousands of distinct languages.

• Languages are constantly evolving into new forms.

What is suggested about the cognitive capacities of humans from different backgrounds?

• They are determined by genetic factors.

• They are influenced by the environment.

• They are fundamentally the same regardless of origin.

• They vary significantly across different cultures.

What is the implication of a child from a Stone Age tribe being raised in a modern environment?

• The child would retain their original language.

• The child would develop a new language.

• The child would struggle to adapt.

• The child could achieve the same cognitive feats as others.

What is the speaker's stance on the time available for language development?

• The time is too short for fundamental changes.

• There has been ample time for significant changes.

• Time has led to the extinction of many languages.

• Time is irrelevant to language development.

What does the speaker suggest about the apparent variety of languages?

• It is a result of deep evolutionary changes.

• It is a superficial variation.

• It is a mystery yet to be solved.

• It is due to cultural influences.

What is the ultimate goal in understanding language diversity according to the speaker?

• To show that the variety is superficial and explain its sudden appearance.

• To eliminate language barriers globally.

• To categorize languages into distinct groups.

• To prove that all languages are fundamentally different.