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Semiogenesis as a continuous, not a discrete, phenomenon

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 February 2010

Jo Liska
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, University of Colorado, Denver, CO 80217-3364. Joliska@starburst.uscolo.edu

Abstract

This commentary confronts one of the central tenets advanced in Wilkins & Wakefield's target article: “language is unlikely to have evolved directly from communication-based precursors, nor is it likely to have been based on those structures that subserve communication.” By adopting a very narrow perspective on language, the authors have effectively limited discussion of earlier linguistic capabilities thought to be at least facilitative of, if not prerequisite to language defined as a “formal grammatical system.” An alternative conceptualization for describing semiogenesis is offered.

Information

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995

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