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There are properties completely unique to human language, recursion for example. It's more than just a difference in scale.
by learc83 9y ago
There are properties completely unique to human language, recursion for example. It's more than just a difference in scale.
- mannykannot 9y agoWhether or not recursion is the secret sauce, it seems undeniable that human language is qualitatively very different than communication between other animals. It is apparent simply from the uses to which we put it, even without considering how it works.
- iamcurious 9y agoWhat is the evidence that recursion is unique to human language?
- sqeaky 9y agoThere isn't any, because its one of those evidence of absence things. Until we understand Dolphins, parrots Uncommon ants and other communicators as well as we understand common ants we won't know if they do or do not grok recursion.
- learc83 9y agoWe very strongly believe they don't grok recursion because they don't use it. We have countless hours of recordings of dolphins, parrots, whales etc... communicating and none of the vocal patterns are complex enough to indicate recursion. Recursion implies the ability to create infinitely complex language constructs--if animals have this capability they are communicating via some method that we aren't capable of recording, or they've just decided not to do it when we're listening. You might as well say that mice are more intelligent than humans, they just do a good job of hiding--sure I can't prove that you're wrong, but I wouldn't bet much money on it.
- sqeaky 9y agoI was under the impression we hadn't figure out what you are claiming we have, my research might be stale.
- posterboy 9y agoThat's not how it works. "is not" is a stronger proposition than might or not", thus the onus of proof is on the grand parent comment arguing for uniquenes of recursion.