
extension of grooming behaviors seen in primates. Picking parasites
from one another’s fur is a very important social activity in most species
of primates, allowing them to show affection and respect, apologize for
aggression, and strengthen alliances. Though grooming confers some
small survival advantage by getting rid of parasites, this advantage
clearly does not justify the amount of time spent at it. The same can be
said for human conversation: the amount of information conveyed in
conversation rarely justifies the amount of time people spend talking
with one another. The primary purpose of both grooming and language
is to establish and maintain