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Nonverbal vocal communication: Comparative and developmental approaches
Early Human Development, 31 (1993) 229-230
229
Elsevier Scientific Publishers Ireland Ltd. EHD 01374
Book Review Nonverbal Vocal Communication: Comparative and Developmental Approaches
Hanus Papousek, Uwe Jurgens and Mechthild Papousek (Editors) Cambridge University Press, 1992, stgf35.00 (Hardcovers) This is an enormously fascinating book. The deceptively simple title sets the scene for what transpires to be a journey through phylogenetic and ontogenetic considerations of the precursors of verbal communication. It is indeed wide-ranging and thought provoking. I was reading the volume on a flight across Australia and the man in the next seat, on spotting the title, asked me (not unreasonably) what was ‘nonverbal vocal communication’. As I began to explain (about animal communication, about babies crying and so on), I realised that there was no simple explanation of what the book was about, certainly not one that would do justice to the richness contained in this volume. My questioner seemed suitably satisfied (I would like to believe, impressed) with my comprehensive and enthusiastic description, but engaged me in no further conversation during the rest of the flight! The book deftly takes the reader through four parts (crudely, two animal, two human) and quite obviously adopts both a phylogenetic and an ontogenetic perspective, moving as it does through the animal kingdom (from non-primate to primate communication) to the human world (from infants to maternal speech). Although an edited volume, the chapters are complementary and not repetitive. Some common themes emerge. The most obvious recurring issue is the innate/ genetic vs. environment/learning debate. The final chapter in Part II summarises quite succinctly the crux of the debate at least in relation to vocal development in primates. Ethically and physiologically acceptable studies must provide further direct evidence to confirm or deny the dominant prevailing hypothesis that genetic factors are over-riding. This evidence involves such innovative techniques as crossfostering infants to mothers with different vocal characteristics and artificially changing the sound input (through masking, for example). However, given the implications of this for the development of human language development, is it not sensible to examine the research evidence and acknowledge that learning can play in a role in the modification of primate output? With the genetic/environment debate ringing in our ears, the volume then shifts to a consideration of humans. An ontogenetic perspective is adopted for this half of the book. However immediately, phylogenetic parallels are drawn - both in terms of anatomy and physiology of the infant’s developing vocal tract and in terms of the acoustic features of the early vocalisations. An interesting issue (alluded to in the animal work) is the role of the social context within which vocalisations are 0378-3782/93/$06.00 0 1993 Elsevier Scientific Publishers Ireland Ltd. Printed and Published in Ireland
230
produced. This can further be discussed in relation to the intentionality behind vocalisations. Why are signals with different acoustic properties produced? What do these differences mean? How are acoustic signals perceived and interpreted? The role of learning in language development is accorded more status in the account of human vocal communication than in the discussions on animal communication. This is hardly surprising, given the wealth of evidence both for and against this position. Language learning depends very much on the existence of a responsive ‘other’ (usually the mother). This in itself is not new. What this volume does is to take this notion and examine it in relation to preverbal communication - the cries and signals of infants - and to discuss it further in relation to properties of the mother’s vocal output during the first year of life. It is hard not to complete this volume without being convinced of the mutuality between an infant and her caregiver in the production and perception of auditory characteristics of speech and how this is ultimately related to the successful production of language by the infant. The implications of this work are huge, since there is greater recognition being given to the fundamental role of the sharing and interpretation of intentions in early language development. This book adds to this research not simply by reiterating and confirming previous work but by adding yet another dimension - the animal work. Reinforcement of the interrelatedness of the animal and human domains comes in the form of cross-referencing of the work in the two areas. This book is a stimulating volume that ought to be compulsory for anyone with an interest not only in language and communication but in broader human development issues. It is not an easy read as it is quite specialised, but one that is worth the effort. Now you can understand why my plane companion did not speak to me further - I think he thinks I bamboozled him, either that or he did not share my excitement. However, it did permit me to conclude reading the volume in relative peace and quiet. Alison S. Garton Senior Policy Officer Mental Health Policy Unit Health Department of Western Australia Perth, Western Australia.
229
Elsevier Scientific Publishers Ireland Ltd. EHD 01374
Book Review Nonverbal Vocal Communication: Comparative and Developmental Approaches
Hanus Papousek, Uwe Jurgens and Mechthild Papousek (Editors) Cambridge University Press, 1992, stgf35.00 (Hardcovers) This is an enormously fascinating book. The deceptively simple title sets the scene for what transpires to be a journey through phylogenetic and ontogenetic considerations of the precursors of verbal communication. It is indeed wide-ranging and thought provoking. I was reading the volume on a flight across Australia and the man in the next seat, on spotting the title, asked me (not unreasonably) what was ‘nonverbal vocal communication’. As I began to explain (about animal communication, about babies crying and so on), I realised that there was no simple explanation of what the book was about, certainly not one that would do justice to the richness contained in this volume. My questioner seemed suitably satisfied (I would like to believe, impressed) with my comprehensive and enthusiastic description, but engaged me in no further conversation during the rest of the flight! The book deftly takes the reader through four parts (crudely, two animal, two human) and quite obviously adopts both a phylogenetic and an ontogenetic perspective, moving as it does through the animal kingdom (from non-primate to primate communication) to the human world (from infants to maternal speech). Although an edited volume, the chapters are complementary and not repetitive. Some common themes emerge. The most obvious recurring issue is the innate/ genetic vs. environment/learning debate. The final chapter in Part II summarises quite succinctly the crux of the debate at least in relation to vocal development in primates. Ethically and physiologically acceptable studies must provide further direct evidence to confirm or deny the dominant prevailing hypothesis that genetic factors are over-riding. This evidence involves such innovative techniques as crossfostering infants to mothers with different vocal characteristics and artificially changing the sound input (through masking, for example). However, given the implications of this for the development of human language development, is it not sensible to examine the research evidence and acknowledge that learning can play in a role in the modification of primate output? With the genetic/environment debate ringing in our ears, the volume then shifts to a consideration of humans. An ontogenetic perspective is adopted for this half of the book. However immediately, phylogenetic parallels are drawn - both in terms of anatomy and physiology of the infant’s developing vocal tract and in terms of the acoustic features of the early vocalisations. An interesting issue (alluded to in the animal work) is the role of the social context within which vocalisations are 0378-3782/93/$06.00 0 1993 Elsevier Scientific Publishers Ireland Ltd. Printed and Published in Ireland
230
produced. This can further be discussed in relation to the intentionality behind vocalisations. Why are signals with different acoustic properties produced? What do these differences mean? How are acoustic signals perceived and interpreted? The role of learning in language development is accorded more status in the account of human vocal communication than in the discussions on animal communication. This is hardly surprising, given the wealth of evidence both for and against this position. Language learning depends very much on the existence of a responsive ‘other’ (usually the mother). This in itself is not new. What this volume does is to take this notion and examine it in relation to preverbal communication - the cries and signals of infants - and to discuss it further in relation to properties of the mother’s vocal output during the first year of life. It is hard not to complete this volume without being convinced of the mutuality between an infant and her caregiver in the production and perception of auditory characteristics of speech and how this is ultimately related to the successful production of language by the infant. The implications of this work are huge, since there is greater recognition being given to the fundamental role of the sharing and interpretation of intentions in early language development. This book adds to this research not simply by reiterating and confirming previous work but by adding yet another dimension - the animal work. Reinforcement of the interrelatedness of the animal and human domains comes in the form of cross-referencing of the work in the two areas. This book is a stimulating volume that ought to be compulsory for anyone with an interest not only in language and communication but in broader human development issues. It is not an easy read as it is quite specialised, but one that is worth the effort. Now you can understand why my plane companion did not speak to me further - I think he thinks I bamboozled him, either that or he did not share my excitement. However, it did permit me to conclude reading the volume in relative peace and quiet. Alison S. Garton Senior Policy Officer Mental Health Policy Unit Health Department of Western Australia Perth, Western Australia.