<<Let me aim for the middle ground here. Broca's region is indicative
that early hominids had some form of speech, but it certainly doesn't
prove it, or give us much idea of how good their speech was. Similarly,
the studies showing that Neandertals may have been able to make a
limited range of sounds are controversial, and should not be accepted as
a done deal. Even if they are correct, a more limited range of sound
production does not necessarily equate to a limited language capability.>>
I like this statement. It is a good read of what is there. One can lean toward
"modern like" speech from here, but it will be just that, a "lean." There is
anatomical evidence which leads me to lean the other way.
But certainly the Broca's evidence is not a knock out blow ("done deal") for
modern speech.
Jim