Chapter 7. The pantomime roots of Sao Tome and Principe Sign Language
-
Ana Mineiro
Abstract
Pantomime is a unique semiotic resource for human communication despite its non-linguistic character because it allows a wide spectrum of meanings (Zlatev et al., 2020). In our view, gestures and vocalizations are interconnected from the beginning of the emergence of language in human beings (Corballis, 2014). Recent studies in a newborn language showed a boost of linguistic systematicity (Mineiro et al., 2021; Abreu et al., 2022), which included a reduction in the use of pantomime, amplitude of signs, and an increase in articulation economy within a social interaction process. We claim this process constitutes a continuum and not a cut-off system. The evolution of a newborn sign language seems to follow the same phases of psychomotor development and to be linked to efficient use of energy while enhancing cognition, allowing for the accomplishment of social communication enabled by sign language.
Abstract
Pantomime is a unique semiotic resource for human communication despite its non-linguistic character because it allows a wide spectrum of meanings (Zlatev et al., 2020). In our view, gestures and vocalizations are interconnected from the beginning of the emergence of language in human beings (Corballis, 2014). Recent studies in a newborn language showed a boost of linguistic systematicity (Mineiro et al., 2021; Abreu et al., 2022), which included a reduction in the use of pantomime, amplitude of signs, and an increase in articulation economy within a social interaction process. We claim this process constitutes a continuum and not a cut-off system. The evolution of a newborn sign language seems to follow the same phases of psychomotor development and to be linked to efficient use of energy while enhancing cognition, allowing for the accomplishment of social communication enabled by sign language.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction. Perspectives on pantomime 1
- Chapter 1. Pantomime within and beyond the evolution of language 16
- Chapter 2. The relations of demonstration and pantomime to causal reasoning and event cognition 58
- Chapter 3. Narrative and pantomime at the origin of language 78
- Chapter 4. Two types of bodily-mimetic communication 100
- Chapter 5. Can pantomime narrate? 115
- Chapter 6. The pantomimic origins of the narrative arts 139
- Chapter 7. The pantomime roots of Sao Tome and Principe Sign Language 159
- Chapter 8. Symbolic distancing in three-year-old children’s object-use pantomime 188
- Chapter 9. Gestural mimesis as “as-if” action 217
- Index 243
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction. Perspectives on pantomime 1
- Chapter 1. Pantomime within and beyond the evolution of language 16
- Chapter 2. The relations of demonstration and pantomime to causal reasoning and event cognition 58
- Chapter 3. Narrative and pantomime at the origin of language 78
- Chapter 4. Two types of bodily-mimetic communication 100
- Chapter 5. Can pantomime narrate? 115
- Chapter 6. The pantomimic origins of the narrative arts 139
- Chapter 7. The pantomime roots of Sao Tome and Principe Sign Language 159
- Chapter 8. Symbolic distancing in three-year-old children’s object-use pantomime 188
- Chapter 9. Gestural mimesis as “as-if” action 217
- Index 243
