Signal use and pragmatics in the first natural language users

Abstract

Abstract This chapter explores the historical emergence of the first natural languages in prehistoric times. It focuses on the communicative abilities that our human and late hominin ancestors had at their disposal, which served as the foundation for the first natural languages. The term ‘late hominin’ refers to the descendants of our last common ancestor with chimpanzees and bonobos. Since signals leave no fossils, this repertoire is reconstructed by reviewing the communicative abilities of different groups of extant communicators. By considering plausible traits of the first natural language users, the chapter draws conclusions about their communicative repertoire, and the pragmatic competence and social learning required for establishing this repertoire. Ultimately, this will lead to a better understanding of the role of pragmatics in the evolution of language.