25.02.2025 Sarah Brocard

Abstract: How did syntax evolve in humans? Is there a direct transition from the simple forms observed in animal communication to the complex sentence structures seen in human languages? A recent theory posits that human syntax is rooted in prelinguistic event cognition, an evolutionarily ancient propensity to decompose events into their causal components. Humans spontaneously attribute agents (doers of actions) and patients (undergoers) roles while viewing their interactions (i.e., “who does what to whom”), with a particular focus on agents. But how do animals understand the causal structure of events, how do they process event roles, and in doing so, do they also experience a preference for the agent? In this talk, I will explore these questions through touchscreen and eye-tracking studies on hominids’ event cognition. I will highlight striking similarities, suggesting that the ability to structure events in terms of agent, patient, and action emerged long before language – offering new insights into the cognitive foundations of syntax.