Research conducted by scientists studying human speech suggests that this ability likely developed in the human brain as we evolved from primates. However, the exact process of this evolution is still uncertain. These researchers are able to compare the human brain to that of other primates, in order to analyze how it changed over time to facilitate the development of language.
Previous studies have proposed that certain structures in the front of the primate brain could have played a role in the acquisition of language by humans. To investigate these and other potential changes in the human brain related to language evolution, an international team of scientists recently compared the parts of the human and primate brains that are associated with speech. The primates included in this study were baboons and macaques, collectively known as Old World monkeys, as well as chimpanzees.
The scientists initially examined detailed brain images of humans and primates produced through scans that allow for a thorough exploration of different brain regions. These scans were obtained from sources such as the National Chimpanzee Brain Resource and the Human Connectome Project database.
By analyzing these scans, they were able to identify specific differences between the human and primate brains. They speculated that brain regions showing discrepancies between humans and other primates could have played a role in the evolution of language, given that non-human primates do not exhibit the same linguistic abilities as humans.
Specific areas of interest included brain regions responsible for speech, facial expressions, and language, such as the prefrontal extent of the frontal skull (PFOP). It was observed that the development of PFOP in humans differed significantly from chimpanzees and Old World monkeys, indicating potential contributions to the emergence of language.
Another distinctive feature found in the human brain was the presence of a groove called the operculum. This groove, positioned closer to the anterior region on the left side of the brain compared to the right side, hinted at asymmetries in the development of language-related structures within the human brain.
Further examination of chimpanzee brains revealed symmetrical sizes of the PFOp in both hemispheres, in contrast to the human brain’s asymmetrical development. These findings supported the hypothesis that certain brain asymmetries are unique to humans and have emerged more recently in the evolutionary timeline.
The researchers also studied the distance between two brain grooves known as the circular sulcus and operculum, referred to as D-FO and V-FO respectively. Previous research had linked these grooves to communication sounds in chimpanzees, prompting an investigation into their potential influence on PFO development in humans.
Their analysis indicated that chimpanzee brains exhibited variations in the D-FO curvature, with closer proximity to the circular sulcus associated with increased communication sounds and facial expressions. These findings led the scientists to propose that the development of D-FO and V-FO may have also played a role in the evolution of human language.
In conclusion, the researchers highlighted the importance of structural changes in brain regions such as the operculum and cerebral sulci in facilitating language acquisition in humans. While these findings provide valuable insights, further research is needed to better understand the specific functions of PFOp in the human brain and its relationship to speech development.
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Source: sciworthy.com
