Rethinking syntax: A commentary on E. Kako's "Elements of syntax in the systems of three language-trained animals"

Kako (1999) requests new studies of linguistic continua between humans and nonhumans. I question the value of such studies and the importance of deter mining whether any component of language is uniquely human. I argue that tr aining of specific constructs (e.g., dosed classes) may not provide appropr iate data, and that whether a particular species lacks or has human-like sy ntax likely results from specific ecological/evolutionary pressures. Social factors purported to drive intelligence and communication in primates like ly exist for nonprimates such as parrots; moreover, Grey parrots demonstrat e rudiments of supposedly uniquely human abilities: supralaryngeal vocal tr act control, anticipatory coarticulation, and sound play.