The language void 10 years on: multimodal primate communication research is still uncommon

Liebal, K, Slocombe, KE and Waller, BM ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6303-7458, 2022. The language void 10 years on: multimodal primate communication research is still uncommon. Ethology Ecology and Evolution. ISSN 0394-9370

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Abstract

Human language is thought to have evolved from non-linguistic communication systems present in the primate lineage. Scientists rely on data from extant primate species to estimate how this happened, with debates centering around which modality (vocalization, gesture, facial expression) was a likely precursor. In 2011, we demonstrated that different theoretical and methodological approaches are used to collect data about each modality, rendering datasets incomplete and comparisons problematic. Here, 10 years later, we conducted a follow-up systematic review to test whether patterns have changed, examining the primate communication literature published between 2011 and 2020. In sum, despite the promising progress in addressing some gaps in our knowledge, systematic biases still exist and multimodal research remains uncommon. We argue that theories of language evolution are unlikely to advance until the field of primate communication research acknowledges and rectifies the gaps in our knowledge.

Item Type:	Journal article
Publication Title:	Ethology Ecology and Evolution
Creators:	Liebal, K., Slocombe, K.E. and Waller, B.M.
Publisher:	Informa UK Limited
Date:	24 January 2022
ISSN:	0394-9370
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.1080/03949370.2021.2015453 DOI 1515843 Other
Rights:	This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Ethology Ecology and Evolution on 24/01/2022, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/03949370.2021.2015453
Divisions:	Schools > School of Social Sciences
Record created by:	Laura Ward
Date Added:	09 Feb 2022 11:40
Last Modified:	24 Jan 2023 03:00
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/45581

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