Bow-wow theory
The bow-wow theory refers to theories by various scholars, including Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Johann Gottfried Herder, on the origins of human language.[1] Bow-wow theories suggest that the first human languages developed as onomatopoeia, imitations of natural sounds.[2] The name "bow-wow theory" was coined by Max Müller.[3] The bow-wow theory is largely discredited as an account of the origin of language,[2] though some contemporary theories suggest that imitative abilities may have played an important role in the evolution of language.[4]
References
- ^ Moran, John; Gode, Alexander (1986). On the origin of language. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 0226730123.
- ^ a b Thorndike, E.L. (2 July 1943). "The origin of language" (PDF). Science. New series. 98 (2531): 1–6.
- ^ Sprinker, Michael (Jan.-Mar. 1980). "Gerard Manley Hopkins on the origin of language". Journal of the History of Ideas. 41 (1): 113–128.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Malle, Bertram F. (2002). "The relation between language and theory of mind in development and evolution". In T. Givon & B.F. Malle (ed.). The Evolution of Language out of Pre-language. Amsterdam: John Benjamins. ISSN 0167-7373.