Human languages can seem very different, but there are some features that nearly all languages share. The question is—where do these features come from?

Chris Golston is a linguist who thinks that universal linguistic features can be found in animal cognition—and he’s constructed an evolution timeline for our grammars. It goes back farther than you think!

This video features research by Chris Golston, which you can find here:
https://bioling.psychopen.eu/index.ph...

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0:00 – Intro
0:49 – Overview
1:28 – Number
2:50 – Subitizing system
3:55 – Approximate system
5:58 – Person
6:21 – Third person
8:01 – Second person
9:20 – First person
10:15 – Timeline
11:15 – Universals

Sources:
Golston, C. (2018). Phi-features in animal cognition. https://doi.org/10.5964/bioling.9131
Gordon (2004). Numerical cognition without words: Evidence from Amazonia.
Hauser, Carey & Hauser (2000). Spontaneous number representation in semi–free–ranging rhesus monkeys. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2000.1078
Xu & Spelke (2000). Large number discrimination in 6-month-old infants. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0010-0277(99...
McComb, Packer & Pusey (1994). Roaring and numerical assessment in contests between groups of female lions, Panthera leo. https://doi.org/10.1006/anbe.1994.1052
Agrillo, Piffer, Bisazza & Butterworth (2012). Evidence for two numerical systems that are similar in humans and guppies. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone....
Wehner (2003). Desert ant navigation: how miniature brains solve complex tasks. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-003-04...
Gallistel (1989). Animal cognition: the representation of space, time and number. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ps.40...
von Bayern & Emery (2009). Bonding, mentalising and rationality.
Franks & Richardson (2006). Teaching in tandem-running ants. https://doi.org/10.1038/439153a
Bekoff & Sherman (2004). Reflections on Animal Selves. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2003.1...