12 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
12 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

What Does This Mean?

by thunderbird
10 replies
  • OFF TOPIC
    • |
This seems to say that genetics is the cause of tonal languages and that using tonal languages causes genetic changes:

"Neanderthal genes also suggest that the stocky yet brainy individuals possessed tonal languages, since there is an association between tone and two of their genes involved in brain growth and development."

"...the scientists hold that genes associated with language and culture co-evolved.

'The basic idea,' Dediu explained, 'is that cultural change is not simply an effect of a better genetic background; culture does not have to wait for biology change, but culture generates new selective pressures to which our biology must adapt, changes in biology that might allow new cultural changes in a co-evolutionary cycle.'"

Disclaimer: The source of the information is a trashy unreliable tabloid called NBC: Scientists say our languages might preserve Neanderthal talk - NBC News.com
  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Without reading the study, it sounds like gobblety gook. I'm not really interested in the study so won't be trying to sort it out.

    There are many cultures with tonal languages today. That might be residue from the mingling of Modern humans and neanderthal. I don't see their language as any more socially "adaptive" either physically or culturally than any other language form. I can't even guess why they feel tonal languages are special. In Neanderthals they were necessary because they didn't have the range of capability in their vocal chords we have. From what other scientists that study anthropology have published, Neanderthals were not the same branch on the human tree we are, so that would make what they are saying a moot point at that end.
    Signature

    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8310869].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
      How are you guys pronouncing this?

      Have you asked the Neandertathals what they think about this?

      In some countries Neanderthals like the "th" sound to sound like a hard "t".

      In other countries, Neanderthals like foreigners to use the "th" sound.

      And with a last name like Neanderthal, you know there is going to be trouble.

      I'm glad I could address this problem, and solve it conclusively.

      Tomorrow, I answer the question "What does Justin Bieber think of all this "neanderthal" talk? And why doesn't he return my calls?
      Signature
      One Call Closing book https://www.amazon.com/One-Call-Clos...=1527788418&sr

      "Be kind. For everyone you meet is fighting a great battle" Ian Maclaren
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8310959].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author seasoned
        Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

        How are you guys pronouncing this?

        Have you asked the Neandertathals what they think about this?

        In some countries Neanderthals like the "th" sound to sound like a hard "t".

        In other countries, Neanderthals like foreigners to use the "th" sound.

        And with a last name like Neanderthal, you know there is going to be trouble.

        I'm glad I could address this problem, and solve it conclusively.

        Tomorrow, I answer the question "What does Justin Bieber think of all this "neanderthal" talk? And why doesn't he return my calls?
        ACTUALLY, TH(as in english THE) is a NEW idea. SO, a number of languages, I believe MOST of the germanic ones in fact, DON'T recognize it. theater is pronounced TAYATER in German, for example. But is THAT tonal? I would have thought the tonal asian languages, like chinese were. BTW the correct pronounciation of neanderthal is neh-ahn-der-tal. It IS german, afterall. and Tal means valley, in German.

        The Neandertal is a small valley of the river Düssel in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia
        Steve
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8311352].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author HeySal
          Originally Posted by seasoned View Post

          ACTUALLY, TH(as in english THE) is a NEW idea. SO, a number of languages, I believe MOST of the germanic ones in fact, DON'T recognize it. theater is pronounced TAYATER in German, for example. But is THAT tonal? I would have thought the tonal asian languages, like chinese were. BTW the correct pronounciation of neanderthal is neh-ahn-der-tal. It IS german, afterall. and Tal means valley, in German.



          Steve
          No - tonal has nothing to do with the phonetic alphabet. Tonal languages change word meanings with pitch.

          My hearing doesn't catch some pitches so I'd be kinda hindered if I had to function in a society with a tonal language. The TH isn't that new - the spelling TH is the newest thing about the sound. Used to be a funny shaped "f" in old English.
          Signature

          Sal
          When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
          Beyond the Path

          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8313596].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author tagiscom
            Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

            How are you guys pronouncing this?

            Have you asked the Neandertathals what they think about this?

            In some countries Neanderthals like the "th" sound to sound like a hard "t".

            In other countries, Neanderthals like foreigners to use the "th" sound.

            And with a last name like Neanderthal, you know there is going to be trouble.

            I'm glad I could address this problem, and solve it conclusively.

            Tomorrow, I answer the question "What does Justin Bieber think of all this "neanderthal" talk? And why doesn't he return my calls?

            It depends on whether you were ringing him or his pet monkey?

            Shane
            Signature
            `
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8314277].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
              Has anyone heard from Kim?
              Signature
              One Call Closing book https://www.amazon.com/One-Call-Clos...=1527788418&sr

              "Be kind. For everyone you meet is fighting a great battle" Ian Maclaren
              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8314297].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author richardtor
              Originally Posted by tagiscom View Post

              It depends on whether you were ringing him or his pet monkey?

              Shane

              Hahahaha :p
              Signature
              Need an article? Tired of generic content written by an amateur without a proper grasp of the English language? I'm your man. Get brilliantly written content for your web sites and blogs - all at competition-smashing rates! CLICK HERE

              http://pph.me/richardtorrents
              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8317309].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Um........Claude? I'm not pronouncing ANYTHING - I'm typing. I love ambiguity.
    Signature

    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8311143].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
      Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

      Um........Claude? I'm not pronouncing ANYTHING - I'm typing. I love ambiguity.
      Sal; I'm sorry...but the voices in my head say different.

      Definition of Ambiguity: Like being ambidextrous...but without using your hands.
      Signature
      One Call Closing book https://www.amazon.com/One-Call-Clos...=1527788418&sr

      "Be kind. For everyone you meet is fighting a great battle" Ian Maclaren
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8311283].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author KimW
        Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

        Sal; I'm sorry...but the voices in my head say different.

        Definition of Ambiguity: Like being ambidextrous...but without using your hands.
        I thought I was ambidextrous once, but I was convinced by others it was a choice,not genetics. Turned I was was only dextrous.
        Signature

        Read A Post.
        Subscribe to a Newsletter
        KimWinfrey.Com

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8311291].message }}

Trending Topics