Origin and Evolution of Communication Systems
A step in ritualization is ëdisplacement.
An animal may begin to do something completely irrelevant as a way of resolving conflict between competing possible behaviours.
Mating dances are examples of resolution of conflict.
Both animals want to mate, but (particularly in non-social species) the approach of another animal is dangerous.
As the animals approach, they exhibit behaviours which reduce hostility (e.g., head turning).
If the partner mimics first, the coordinated behaviour reduces tension.
Eventually, these behaviours become highly ritualized.
The important point is that signaling systems is animal communication are built up out of previously existing behaviours.
Is human language built up out of displaced behaviours.
This can be answered only after defining language and describing its properties.