IS AN EVOLUTIONARY-THEORY OF LANGUAGE PLAY POSSIBLE

Language play is commonly observed in young human children. Although t he developmental significance of such play has yet to be precisely def ined, it seems likely that language play facilitates cognitive, langua ge, and social development. Play with sounds and sound structures has also been observed in animals, raising the possibility that this type of play serves important developmental functions in a number of specie s. A comparative perspective is necessary if we are to better understa nd the significance of language play in various species, including our own. In turn, a comparative perspective should incorporate evolutiona ry considerations, making an evolutionary theory of language play esse ntial.