The Language Origin Paradigms: Conceptual Typologies, Results Accumulation, and Theoretical Perspectives

Studies of the origin and early evolution of language are undergoing rapid development. New directions, topics and methods of research are appearing. It becomes necessary to structure the research field, as the formation of a single space of intellectual attention contributes to a more productive communication between different groups of scientists, better mutual understanding, and strengthened arguments. The article proposes the grounds for typologizing the concepts of the origin of language and identifies three main paradigms on the basis of these typologies. The sharpest disputes are between Continualism (“human language is only quantitatively different from animal language”) and Saltationism (“human language is so fundamentally different from the communicative systems of animals, that it could only appear as a result of some amazing leap or unique mutation”). Continualists usually focus on the communicative and cognitive abilities of different species (with a clear preference for apes). Saltationists focus on the linguistic, mental and cognitive structures of humans. Both of these polar approaches are opposed by the Multistage ecosocial paradigm, which emphasizes a long, multistep process of glottogenesis with behavioral adaptations of hominid groups to the changing natural and social conditions of their existence. A list of the most plausible, theoretically substantiated propositions is given, as well as research results supported by a variety of circumstantial data. The theoretical and methodological perspectives of the multistage ecosocial paradigm related to overcoming from its drawbacks are presented. A generalizing conceptual framework corresponding to the basic principles of evolution, the laws of social interaction should be constructed. The extremely heterogeneous arsenal of methods should also be structured in a single scientific logic.