Nature of Language

Development of Human Language

We can explore the development of human communication from ancient hominids to the present day. Initially, our ancestors used limited calls and gestures similar to modern apes to manipulate others in response to predators. As social structures, anatomy, habitat, and foraging practices changed, communication among early hominids became more complex but still differed from modern language.

Early hominid communication was holistic, with one representation per communicative act. Modern language, however, is compositional, allowing for the combination of linguistic and non-linguistic components to convey different meanings. Between two million and a hundred thousand years ago, early hominid communication evolved into language, featuring arbitrary speech sounds forming separate words with conventionalized meanings. Syntax also developed, enabling the construction of ordered word strings and infinite meanings.

Since the origins of language remain debated, with researchers studying language development in children to gain insights into its origins. Until the emergence of written language, speculations about language's beginnings rely on archaeological findings.

Evidence from the first written records of the Sumerians, around 5000 BC, indicates the existence of modern-style syntax and the ability to communicate individual and societal needs. The Sumerian writing system evolved from pictorial representation towards capturing spoken language in writing over the following centuries.

Tracing Language Development

We can talk about two different ancient languages and their relevance today. The first language is called Aquitanian, and it is considered ancient. The writer of the book "The History of Basque", Robert Trask, describes the Basque language and culture in detail. He uses linguistic evidence to show that certain sounds in modern Basque are due to proximity to other languages, not ancestry.

The second language discussed is Proto-Indo-European (PIE). Linguists have reconstructed PIE based on similarities found among Indo-European languages. For example, the word for mother has similar counterparts in English, Latin, Greek, and Sanskrit. The reconstruction of PIE is based on commonalities among these languages and regularities in language change. It focuses on basic vocabulary like kinship terms and names of natural features.

Interestingly, there is currently a movement to revive Proto-Indo-European as a common language for all in the European Union. This movement aims to have a reconstructed version of PIE without any one group dominating. Linguists use the comparative method which involves examining cognates across languages, looking for regularities in the sound structure that point to past similarities. Language policy and official bodies have historically influenced linguistic survival and change. The success of this revival movement is uncertain, but language policy has always played a role in shaping languages.

Loss of World Languages

The loss of world languages is a significant and ongoing concern in today’s interconnected world. We can discuss the revival of ancient languages alongside the rapid extinction of many languages worldwide. Once a language becomes extinct, a valuable cultural heritage is lost, including folklore, oral histories, traditional practices and indigenous knowledge. One fact I want to give a highlight is that the efforts of linguists to record and preserve endangered languages, emphasizing the importance of documenting their speech sounds, syntax, stories, and cultural significance. Organizations like SIL dedicate resources to this cause. Joshua Fishman suggests steps to reverse language loss, emphasizing everyday communicative use and promoting language acquisition, literacy, and institutional integration. I also want to mention the impact of oppressive language policies, such as those during the Franco dictatorship in Spain, and the subsequent revival of national languages after the lifting of these policies. It further illustrates successful language revival by describing the example of Kaurna, an Aboriginal language in Australia that was documented by German missionaries and is now being revived through workshops, education, and online resources. Although some original functions and vocabulary may be lost, language revival allows for the revitalization of culture and the creation of new language elements. Languages are repositories of knowledge. So, it is important to recognize the value of linguistic crucial diversity and take active steps to protect and ensure the preservation of endangered languages.