This article discusses the concept of mirror neurons in monkeys and their potential role in human communication. Mirror neurons are neurons in the rostral part of the ventral premotor cortex (area F5) that fire both when an animal performs an action and when it observes another performing the same action. These neurons are thought to represent a system that links observed events to internally generated actions, forming a bridge between the observer and the actor. Research suggests that a similar system exists in humans, involving Broca's area, and is essential for communication. The article explores the functional properties of mirror neurons, noting that they respond to observed actions rather than to the individual movements that make up the action. They show visual generalization, firing when the agent of the observed action is far or close to the monkey. Mirror neurons also have motor properties similar to F5 neurons that do not respond to action observation. They are referred to as 'canonical neurons' and are thought to represent the link between sender and receiver in communication. The article also discusses the homology between the monkey's area F5 and Broca's area in humans, suggesting that both are involved in action recognition and production. It argues that the mirror system is fundamental for action recognition in primates and may have been crucial for the development of speech and other forms of intentional communication. The article further explores the evolution of communication, suggesting that the mirror system played a key role in the development of language. It proposes that the capacity to recognize actions and the ability to control mirror systems are essential for communication. The article also discusses the role of oro-facial gestures in the evolution of speech, suggesting that these gestures may have evolved into the vocalization system known as speech. The article concludes that the discovery of the mirror system suggests a strong link between speech and action representation, with the specifically linguistic constituents making their first appearance in the neural patterns associated with action and perception.This article discusses the concept of mirror neurons in monkeys and their potential role in human communication. Mirror neurons are neurons in the rostral part of the ventral premotor cortex (area F5) that fire both when an animal performs an action and when it observes another performing the same action. These neurons are thought to represent a system that links observed events to internally generated actions, forming a bridge between the observer and the actor. Research suggests that a similar system exists in humans, involving Broca's area, and is essential for communication. The article explores the functional properties of mirror neurons, noting that they respond to observed actions rather than to the individual movements that make up the action. They show visual generalization, firing when the agent of the observed action is far or close to the monkey. Mirror neurons also have motor properties similar to F5 neurons that do not respond to action observation. They are referred to as 'canonical neurons' and are thought to represent the link between sender and receiver in communication. The article also discusses the homology between the monkey's area F5 and Broca's area in humans, suggesting that both are involved in action recognition and production. It argues that the mirror system is fundamental for action recognition in primates and may have been crucial for the development of speech and other forms of intentional communication. The article further explores the evolution of communication, suggesting that the mirror system played a key role in the development of language. It proposes that the capacity to recognize actions and the ability to control mirror systems are essential for communication. The article also discusses the role of oro-facial gestures in the evolution of speech, suggesting that these gestures may have evolved into the vocalization system known as speech. The article concludes that the discovery of the mirror system suggests a strong link between speech and action representation, with the specifically linguistic constituents making their first appearance in the neural patterns associated with action and perception.