From hand to mouth in the evolution of language: the influence of vocal behavior on lateralized hand use in manual gestures by chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

  1. William D. Hopkins1,2,*,
  2. Monica Cantero3

Article first published online: 14 FEB 2003

DOI: 10.1111/1467-7687.00254

Issue

Developmental Science

Developmental Science

Volume 6, Issue 1, pages 55–61, February 2003

Additional Information

How to Cite

Hopkins, W. D. and Cantero, M. (2003), From hand to mouth in the evolution of language: the influence of vocal behavior on lateralized hand use in manual gestures by chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Developmental Science, 6: 55–61. doi: 10.1111/1467-7687.00254

Author Information

  1. 1

    Division of Psychobiology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

  2. 2

    Department of Psychology, Berry College, Mount Berry, Georgia, USA

  3. 3

    Department of Foreign Languages, Berry College, Mount Berry, Georgia, USA

*Address for correspondence: William D. Hopkins, Division of Psychobiology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, USA; e-mail: lrcbh@rmy.emory.edu or whopkins@berry.edu

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 14 FEB 2003
  2. Article first published online: 14 FEB 2003
  3. Received: 12 April 2001 Accepted: 19 December 2001

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Abstract

Studies in human subjects indicate that manual gestures accompanied by speech are produced more often by the right compared to the left hand. Additional studies indicate that the production of sign language is controlled by the same brain areas as speech, suggesting similar neurobiological substrates for language that are not modality specific. We report evidence that chimpanzees exhibit preferential use of the right hand in gestural communication. Moreover, use of the right hand in gestural communication is significantly enhanced when accompanied by a vocalization, particularly among human-reared chimpanzees. Taken together, the data suggest that the lateralization of manual and speech systems of communication may date back as far as 5 million years ago.

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