Derek Bickerton

Derek Bickerton was a linguist and cognitive scientist known for his work on the evolution of language. He proposed that language developed through a gradual process, sprouting from basic communication systems in early humans, and emphasized the importance of symbolic thought in language's emergence. Bickerton introduced ideas like the "protolanguage," a simplified form of speech that preceded complex language, highlighting how humans uniquely combine symbols and grammar. His work seeks to understand how language evolved from simpler forms to the rich, structured communication used today.