Gastvortrag im Rahmen der Brain Language Talks

******************************

Presenter: Dr. Manuel Bohn, MPI Leipzig

Title: Natural reference - Comprehension of iconic signals in apes and human children

Abstract

Iconic signals - gestures or sounds that resemble their referent - have a naturally referential potential in that they ground reference in direct experience. For example, in the absence of a shared language, I can ask someone for a drink by mimicking a drinking action or inform someone about a potentially dangerous dog by pretending to bark fiercely. Due to this property, iconic signals have been highlighted as an important means of communication in language evolution as well as development. In my talk I will present a series of comparative studies with great apes and human children (aged two to six) that investigate how iconic signals can be used to a) coordinate b) instruct and c) create a new communication system.

******************************