Disentangling Pantomime From Early Sign in a New Sign Language: Window Into Language Evolution Research

• Published in: Frontiers in psychology Vol. 12; p. 640057
• Main Authors: Mineiro, Ana, Báez-Montero, Inmaculada Concepción, Moita, Mara, Galhano-Rodrigues, Isabel, Castro-Caldas, Alexandre
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Frontiers Media S.A 14.04.2021
• Subjects: early signs; emergent sign language; human communication; language evolution; pantomime; Psychology; early signs; language evolution; human communication; emergent sign language; pantomime

In this study, we aim to disentangle pantomime from early signs in a newly-born sign language: Sao Tome and Principe Sign Language. Our results show that within 2 years of their first contact with one another, a community of 100 participants interacting everyday was able to build a shared language....