From signs to symbols: language, mind and niche

In the last decade, a new picture of human evolution, and of the speed and extent of human divergence from other primates, has gradually emerged. The CI has been one of those responsible for this new conception. At roughly the same time (in part promoted by critiques of nativist linguistics) the problem of the evolution of language has once again become a major focus of debate. The aim of the project is to use this new picture of human evolution to make a major advance on the second problem: how humans, uniquely, became the speaking primate. If successful, the project would thus demonstrate the theoretical productivity of the new model of human evolution while also throwing fresh light on an enduring and important problem.