The pantomime roots of Sao Tome and principe sign language

Pantomime is a unique semiotic resource for human communication despite its non-linguistic character because it allows a wide spectrum of meanings (Zlatev etal., 2020). In our view, gestures and vocalizations are interconnected from the beginning of the emergence of language in human beings (Corballis, 2014). Recent studies in a newborn language showed a boost of linguistic systematicity (Mineiro etal., 2021; Abreu etal., 2022), which included a reduction in the use of pantomime, amplitude of signs, and an increase in articulation economy within a social interaction process. We claim this process constitutes a continuum and not a cut-off system. The evolution of a newborn sign language seems to follow the same phases of psychomotor development and to be linked to efficient use of energy while enhancing cognition, allowing for the accomplishment of social communication enabled by sign language.