Human Minds

Before proceeding, let me put to one side one familiar answer to my question. Most people, if asked what distinguishes humans from animals, would probably answer—“language”. Now, I certainly do not want to deny that our uniquely human facility with language plays some part in differentiating us intellectually from other animals. But it seems to me that, on its own, “language” does not add up to a satisfying answer to my question. For we still need to know what humans do with language. Does language yield distinctive human cognition because it enhances communication of facts, or because it facilitates social coordination, or because it allows records to be kept, or inferences to be drawn, or what?