Bodily constraints contributing to multimodal referentiality in humans: The contribution of a de-pigmented sclera to proto-declaratives. (May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Perea García, Juan Olvido; Ehlers, Katrine Rosendal; Tylén, Kristian
• Is Part Of: Language & communication. Volume 54(2017:May)
• Page Start: 73
• Page End: 81
• Publication Date: 2017-05
• Subjects: De-pigmented sclera -- Multimodality -- Referentiality -- Cooperation -- Eye; Communication -- Periodicals; Linguistics -- Periodicals; Communication -- Periodicals; Linguistics -- Periodicals; Communication -- Périodiques; Linguistique -- Périodiques; Communication; Linguistics; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.langcom.2016.10.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0271-5309

Abstract

Abstract: We present the results of an empirical study that measured the contribution of a conspicuous eye-gaze (as a function of scleral de-pigmentation) of humans in conveying multimodal referentiality by combining visual and auditory cues in a naturalistic setting. We made participants interact in a cooperative task in which they had to convey referential meaning about co-presential entities. In one of the conditions, participants had no access to their interactants' eye-gaze. We interpret the results as supporting the idea that our eye morphology contributes to instantiating multimodal referentiality in cooperative tasks in peripersonal space. Highlights: Eye-gaze significantly contributes to multimodal referentiality in cooperative tasks. Disrupting it decreases performance of tasks that require coordination of attention. A de-pigmented sclera might have been a prerequisite in establishing common ground. Multimodal referentiality underlied vocal intentional communication in our ancestors.