The Symbolic Mind: Apes, Symbols, and the Evolution of Language

The exploration of language's role in human evolution reveals challenges due to its non-fossilizable nature and the lack of consensus on its precursors. Research focusing on symbolically competent bonobos demonstrates that symbolic language significantly impacts primate cognition. These findings bolster social niche construction theory as a key framework for understanding language evolution, suggesting that symbols should be prioritized over grammar in evolutionary theories. Additionally, the study contributes to the age-old debate on the relationship between language and thought, offering insights from bonobo research.