Mark Pagel: How Language Transformed Humanity
Part I (00:00 – 12:00)
MARK PAGEL: HOW LANGUAGE TRANSFORMED HUMANITY
Part I (00:00 – 12:00)
Mark Pagel builds statistical models to examine the evolutionary processes imprinted in human behavior, from genomics to the emergence of complex systems — to culture. His latest work examines the parallels between linguistic and biological evolution. He’s looking for patterns in the rates of evolution of language elements, and hoping to find the social factors that influence trends of language evolution.
PRE-VIEWING TASKS
- Study the notes before you watch the video:
a remote control device – пульт управления (телевизора)
a lure to catch fish – приманка для рыбной ловли
a mushroom patch – грибная поляна
an arrow head – наконечник стрелы
a shaft – древко (стрелы)
to trade sth for sth – to exchange sth for sth
to stab – заколоть
- Predict the message.
What do you think the following concepts mean?
- visual theft
- cumulative cultural evolution
WHILE-VIEWING TASK
Watch the video
- to explain the details of each example from the table below
- to find out what ideas the speaker supports with these examples
| example | details of the example | an idea the example illustrates |
| the remote control device | ||
| the Tower of Babel | ||
| chimpanzees/ Homo erectus / Neanderthals | ||
| chairs/ lights/ microphones/ iPads | ||
| a lure for fishing/ a mushroom patch | ||
| arrow heads and wooden shafts |
POST-VIEWING TASKS
- Use the ideas conveyed by the speaker to prove the following statement:
“Language evolved to solve the crisis of visual theft.”.
In your talk, you may want to use some ideas and evidence from the While-Viewing Section and the expressions below:
to confront a dilemma
to benefit from smb’s efforts
to retreat into small family groups
to develop cooperative societies
to enhance the benefits of cooperation
- Discuss in pairs:
- The irony of the Tower of Babel story is that our languages exist to prevent us from communicating. On the other hand, human species developed language to learn and to cooperate. Does language divide people or does it contribute to their cooperation? Think of the examples to illustrate these contradictory aspects of human interaction.
- Make a list of all possible situations when we couldn’t do without language (think about different aspects of life). Compare your list with the other students’ ideas.
MARK PAGEL: HOW LANGUAGE TRANSFORMED HUMANITY
Part 2 (12:45 – 18:40)
PRE-VIEWING TASK
- Search on the internet for the following:
- how many languages are spoken on Earth
- how many languages are spoken in Papua New Guinea
- Discuss the questions below:
- Why do you think people have evolved so many languages? Is a diversity of languages a blessing or a curse?
WHILE-VIEWING TASKS:
Mark Pagel speaks about the importance of sharing one global language. In his talk, he follows the pattern “claim-reason(s)-evidence”. While you listen, complete the template below with some key words to be able to reproduce the speaker’s argumentation.
Claim:
In today’s world, it might be inevitable that we have to confront the idea that our destiny is to be one world with one language.
Reason 1: On the one hand, we have evolved so many languages to protect our cooperative groups.
Development: ….
Evidence: 7000-8000 languages spoken on Earth, with 800-1000 languages spoken in Papua New Guinea alone
Reason 2: On the other hand, ….
Development: ….
Evidence: a map of Facebook friendship links
Reason 3: ….
Development: ….
Evidence: 23 languages spoken in the EU
Reason 4: ….
Development: ….
Evidence: different ways of measuring things vs. one metric system; different ways of measuring time vs one universal system of hours/minutes/seconds
Reason 5: ….
Development: ….
Evidence: a Chinese professor having to translate Chinese into English
POST-VIEWING TASK:
Deliver a talk on the topic: “It is inevitable that we will live in one world with one language”.
In your talk, you may want to use some of the following expressions:
- to slow the flow of ideas between groups
- to slow the flow of technologies
- connectivity around the world raises a burden
- to impose a barrier to the transfer of goods, ideas, technologies
- to promote the free flow and exchange of ideas
- inexorable march towards standardization
- to confront a dilemma
- the solution to the crisis of visual theft
- to be dependent on cooperation to maintain and enhance one’s levels of prosperity
VERBAL JOUST | Toolkit
01 | Positions
The two opposing claims students defend.
A: Humanity should move towards a common global language.
B: Humanity should preserve linguistic diversity.
02 | Argumentation Prompt
Develop two arguments to support your position. Provide reasoning and relevant examples. Anticipate the opposing side’s arguments and prepare rebuttals.
03 | Language Challenge
Use at least four expressions from the Vocabulary Bank. At least one expression should be used to challenge or rebut your opponent’s argument.
04 | Printable Worksheet
Download the Verbal Joust worksheet →