Radiographic analysis of canine vocal tract anatomy and its implications for human language origins
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Date
2013
Authors
Plotsky, Kyle
University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Dept. of Psychology, c2013
Abstract
Radiographic images of the skull and vocal tract of adults from two canid species
were analyzed for two studies addressing functional issues in animal communication and
human language. Study 1 tested the hypothesis that vocal tract length scales reliably with
overall body size such that the acoustic features of vocalizations influenced by vocal tract
length can serve as honest cues to vocalizer body size. Results supported this hypothesis
but emphasized that correlations with body size were better for oral cavity length than for
pharyngeal cavity length. Study 2 tested the hypothesis that laryngeal position can vary in
response to selection on cranio-facial size and shape. Results supported this hypothesis,
finding that the larynx occupies a more descended position in the vocal tract of
individuals with shorter, broader faces compared to longer, narrower faces. The latter
findings have important implications for the origins and evolution of language in humans.
Description
viii, 88 leaves ; 29 cm
Keywords
Sound production by animals , Body size , Animal communication , Language and languages -- Origin , Dogs -- Physiology , Dogs -- Vocalization , Foxes -- Physiology , Foxes -- Vocalization , Dissertations, Academic