30.11.2021 Piera Filippi

A central question in the study of the phylogenetic origins of language is: “What do animal vocal signals mean?” Extensive research has been addressing this question, providing data on the potential meanings of animal signals - for instance, in terms of information perceived by the receivers or of their behavioral reaction. In my talk, I will: (1) show how philosophical research on the concept of meaning might be decisive for further progress in the empirical understanding of animal vocal communication; (2) building on this philosophical research, I will describe cross-species research addressing the adaptive and evolutionary effects of voice modulation conveying information on signalers’ emotional states and body size; (3) bridge research on these adaptive effects of voice modulation across species with key findings on the cognitive effects of emotional modulation of the voice in human linguistic communication. Within this interdisciplinary approach to animal vocal communication and human language, I will suggest empirically testable questions that might help shed light on the evolutionary path of language.