Article contents
Words are not costly displays: Shortcomings of a testosterone-fuelled model of language evolution
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 09 August 2006
Abstract:
Only by misconstruing the term performative are the authors able to argue that males surpass females in performative applications of language. Linguistic performatives are not costly displays of quality, and syntax cannot be explained as an outcome of behavioural competition between pubertal males. However, there is room for a model in which language co-evolves with the unique human life-history stage of adolescence.
- Type
- Open Peer Commentary
- Information
- Copyright
- Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2006
- 1
- Cited by