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Ask-A-Linguist - Message details
Subject: Neanderthal communication
Question:
Hello!

I've been trying to find information on Neanderthal speech/language/communication but it's hard to tell whether the search results I got are reliable or not. Is there any kind of agreement on this matter? I mean, if they had a fully developed vocal tract as some seem to believe, did this allow them to produce articulate sounds? It is clear that the evidence on this is scant and this is what I would like to know:

1. Could Neanderthals build communication amongst them (could they speak at all)?
2. Did they use sounds to communicate?
3. Did they use any kind of articulate sounds?
4. Did they use gestures?
5. What sources of information can you recommend for further reading?

I'd really appreciate any information you can provide. By the way, this is just something I'm interested in because I'm reading a novel where Neanderthals speak and it aroused my curiosity.

Thanks!
Brian

Reply:
Like you, I don’t know of any definitive answers to your questions, but I hope that
these three names can start you off finding out about some facts: Philip Lieberman,
Dean Falk and Ian Tattersall have dealt with Neanderthal speech. They do not
necessarily agree on the interpretation of findings, or address the same issues, or
sometimes even agree with themselves in later work (Lieberman is a case in point),
but what they discuss may be of interest to you.
Madalena

Reply From: Madalena Cruz-Ferreira    click here to access email
Date: Sep-30-2009
Other Replies:
  1. Re: Neanderthal communication James L Fidelholtz    (Sep-30-2009)
  2. Re: Neanderthal communication Elizabeth J Pyatt    (Sep-30-2009)
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Page Updated: 26-Nov-2009

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