Primate Vocal Communication and the Evolution of Speech

Studies of nonhuman primate communication are often motivated by the desire to shed light on evolution speech. In contrast human speech, vocal repertoires primates evolutionarily highly conserved. Within species-specific constraints, calls may vary in relation internal state caller or social experience. Receivers can use signalers’ predict upcoming events behavioral dispositions. Yet do not appear express comprehend communicative informative intent. Signalers sensitive between their own actions and receivers’ responses, thus, signaling behavior be conceived as goal directed. Receivers’ ability integrate information from multiple sources renders system flexible powerful. Researchers who take a linguistic biological perspective should aware strengths limitations approaches. Both benefit focus mechanisms that underpin responses signals.