These are truly interesting essays you’re writing. This one reminds me of Lane Greene who has written two books on language and who writes the “Johnson” column on language in the Economist. He hasn’t speculated, however, with as long a view as you. One point you bring up I must query. You state re Neanderthal elements of communication, “They cannot be broken up into parts which can be recombined - the essence of compositional human language.” Are you stating that only homo sapiens’ language is composed of recombinations, or are you letting readers know this singular species’ practice and capability as a known and undisputed fact? I’m not asking snidely. The reason is because I don’t think humans are alone in this practice. Aren’t bee dances full of recombinations, for instance?
I Speak To You
Thank you for your reply. It makes sense.
These are truly interesting essays you’re writing. This one reminds me of Lane Greene who has written two books on language and who writes the “Johnson” column on language in the Economist. He hasn’t speculated, however, with as long a view as you. One point you bring up I must query. You state re Neanderthal elements of communication, “They cannot be broken up into parts which can be recombined - the essence of compositional human language.” Are you stating that only homo sapiens’ language is composed of recombinations, or are you letting readers know this singular species’ practice and capability as a known and undisputed fact? I’m not asking snidely. The reason is because I don’t think humans are alone in this practice. Aren’t bee dances full of recombinations, for instance?