FOXP2: A gene of linguistic importance

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2007
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Swarthmore College. Dept. of Linguistics
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Thesis (B.A.)
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en_US
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Full copyright to this work is retained by the student author. It may only be used for non-commercial, research, and educational purposes. All other uses are restricted.
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Abstract
The gene FOXP 2 was discovered to be mutated in members of a family possessing a severe language disorder. Originally some researchers believed that this gene was responsible for grammar and called it the "language gene". After further study of the family, researchers determined that the gene itself was not generally responsible for grammar but that it may be responsible for the development of structures required for spoken language. The present paper suggests that FOXP 2 was played a role in the emergence of spoken language during human evolution. This is supported by evidence from human and nonhuman primates and the study of the gene itself. Proposed accounts of how FOXP2 may be related to the emergence of language are given. Furthermore, the present paper hypothesizes that FoxP2 may be causally related to the "critical period" for language acquisition. This hypothesis is supported by evidence from vocal-learning birds, specifically that the levels of the Fox.?2 protein vary depending on whether the birds are learning new songs during that time. Furthermore, a very brief discussion of how FOXP2 may be related to symptoms of schizophrenia is included in order to provide a comprehensive account of the gene's relationship to language. Finally, discussed are the ethical issues surrounding the study of Fox.? 2's relationship to the critical period for language acquisition. *
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