It is widely assumed that long-distance dependencies between elements are a uniquefeature of human language. Here we review recent evidence of long-distance correlationsin sequences produced by non-human species and discuss two evolutionary scenarios forthe evolution of human language in the light of these findings. Though applying theirmethodological framework, we conclude that some of Hauser, Chomsky and Fitch'scentral claims on language evolution are put into question to a different degree withineach of those scenarios.
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