Putting language back in the body: speech and gesture on three time frames.

Full Abstract

This article investigates the role that nonverbal actions play in language processing over 3 different time frames. First, we speculate that nonverbal actions played a role in how formal language systems emerged from our primate ancestors over evolutionary time. Next, we hypothesize that if nonverbal behaviors played a foundational role in the emergence of language over evolution, these actions should influence how children learn language in the present. Finally, we argue that nonverbal actions continue to play a role for adults in the moment-to-moment processing of language. Throughout, we take an embodied view of language and argue that the neural, cognitive, and social components of language processing are firmly grounded in bodily action.

Author information

Author/s: Kelly, Spencer D (SD); Iverson, Jana M (JM); Terranova, Joseph (J); Niego, Julia (J); Hopkins, Michael (M); Goldsmith, Leslie (L);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology-Neuroscience Program, Colgate University, Hamilton, NY 13346, USA. skelly(-atsign-)mail.colgate.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Review

Journal: Developmental neuropsychology (Dev Neuropsychol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-; vol 22 (issue 1) : pp 323-49

Dates: Created 2002/10/30; Completed 2003/03/03; Revised 2005/11/16;

PMID: 12405508, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

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