Mirror Neurons and Language


Published: Dec 15, 2017
Keywords:
understanding mirror neurons sign/vocal language
Δημήτρης Ταχματζίδης
Νίκος Μακρής
Abstract

Mirror neurons were discovered in 1992 by Giacomo Rizzolatti and his team at the Laboratory of Experimental Psychology at the University of Parma, Italy. This discovery has triggered a debate about the origins of human language by describing an evolutionary transition from gestures to vocal language. This paper presents a brief introduction to the discovery of the mirror neurons, while focusing on their contribution to human action understanding and to the emergence of the human language. It also presents a discussion regarding the existence of mirror neurons
and their functions. Under this scope, a brief criticism to mirror neuron theory and their contribution in human communication is also presented.

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