‘Unravelling Babel’: Mary LeCron Foster on the origins of language

Abstract The origin of human language has been a perennial – and perennially controversial topic in linguistics since the nineteenth century. Much this work engaged themes Charles Darwin set out Descent Man , though few authors acknowledge text directly. How might we interpret such neglect? This essay contends that Darwin's reflections on challenged foundational commitments about barrier between history prehistory communication. These are thrown into relief through detailed study dissenting symbolic gestural theory put forth by Mary LeCron Foster, who rejected doctrines linguistic arbitrariness transformational-generative grammar. Her frontier animal communication is presented description her ‘phememic’ account origins. paper also emphasizes rhythm Foster's career, which provides significant counterpoint to standard accounts development institutionalization American during twentieth