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Did Neanderthals Have Language? with Dr. Asya Pereltsvaig

Did Neanderthals Have Language? with Dr. Asya Pereltsvaig


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Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

What makes human language unique? How did it evolve? Which of our ancestors already had it? 

In this seminar, we'll probe into these questions, exploring the seemingly meager evidence coming from archeological digs. Our focus will be on Neanderthals, our closest biological “cousins”, who mysteriously died out shortly after Homo sapiens populated Europe. Was it our language and Neanderthals' lack thereof that caused their extinction? Or did they have language after all? And most importantly, how can we study such an intricate issue, if all we have left from the Neanderthals are their bones, stone tools, burial sites, and other bits and bobs? 

Led by an expert on linguistics and history Asya Pereltsvaig, Ph.D., this Conversation will explore the latest findings in biology, paleoanthropology, genetics, and linguistics that shed new light on this fascinating topic. Participants will come away with an increased understanding of human language, a biological adaptation that makes us... well, us. 

This seminar has been designed to be enjoyed as part of a series. We invite you to explore:

Asya Pereltsvaig received a PhD in Linguistics from McGill University and has taught at Yale, Cornell and Stanford, as well as in several U.S. and European universities. Her expertise is in language and history, and the relationship between them. Her most recent books, Languages of the World: An Introduction, 3rd edition (2020) and The Indo-European Controversy: Facts and Fallacies in Historical Linguistics (2015) were published by Cambridge University Press.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 11 reviews
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(11)
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Pedro Simko (Geneva, CH)
Excellent summary of latest research on Neanderthals.

Dr. Pereltsvaig is hugely knowledgeable, but explains what are complex subjects in a very simple and straightforward matter. She's also not opinionated and offers different points of view on matters where not all scientists agree. She is an excellent presenter, I look forward to hearing more from her in other lectures!

P
Pat (Albuquerque, US)
Informative lecture

This was a very comprehensive lecture. She obviously was a passion for the topic.

S
Suzette Shelmire (Oxford, US)
Did Neanderthals have a language

Dr. Aysa's seminar was interesting or me as it tied in with Dr Charles Higham's course on the Human Race. He talked about Neanderthals and Dinesovans and I am interested in human prehistory.

A
A. (Charlotte, US)

Dr. Pereltsvaig is knowledgeable on the topic of languages, and she can communicate complicated concepts in understandable terms.

S
S. (New York, US)
Expert information on a unique topic!

I enjoyed this wide-ranging investigation on the language question. Dr. Pereltsvaig provided lots of thought-provoking information about Neanderthals, evolution, sounds, speech, and symbols - all in a well-organized narrative that was fun to follow. Looking forward to see what she offers next.

Customer Reviews

Based on 11 reviews
100%
(11)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
P
Pedro Simko (Geneva, CH)
Excellent summary of latest research on Neanderthals.

Dr. Pereltsvaig is hugely knowledgeable, but explains what are complex subjects in a very simple and straightforward matter. She's also not opinionated and offers different points of view on matters where not all scientists agree. She is an excellent presenter, I look forward to hearing more from her in other lectures!

P
Pat (Albuquerque, US)
Informative lecture

This was a very comprehensive lecture. She obviously was a passion for the topic.

S
Suzette Shelmire (Oxford, US)
Did Neanderthals have a language

Dr. Aysa's seminar was interesting or me as it tied in with Dr Charles Higham's course on the Human Race. He talked about Neanderthals and Dinesovans and I am interested in human prehistory.

A
A. (Charlotte, US)

Dr. Pereltsvaig is knowledgeable on the topic of languages, and she can communicate complicated concepts in understandable terms.

S
S. (New York, US)
Expert information on a unique topic!

I enjoyed this wide-ranging investigation on the language question. Dr. Pereltsvaig provided lots of thought-provoking information about Neanderthals, evolution, sounds, speech, and symbols - all in a well-organized narrative that was fun to follow. Looking forward to see what she offers next.