Language and Human Behavior

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Bickerton challenges conventional views on human nature by asserting that language is not merely a communication tool but an evolutionary adaptation that shapes intelligence and consciousness. He argues that the unique properties of human thought derive from language, which originated as a representational system. By introducing the concept of protolanguage, he highlights how early hominids used symbols, lacking the ability to transform imagination into reality—an ability that distinguishes humans. This work is essential for those interested in the intersection of language, behavior, and evolution.