Human Language
*the shaking of an early hominid's hands, wildly in the air, along with excited high-pitched screams* "ooahoo...ooo..oo..ahoooahoooo....oooh...ohhh ohh....oh, yes, by jove, I think I've got it!"...
...which occurred just last week.
(Yes, English was the first spoken language, and if you believe that, I have these magic beans here in my pocket that you might be interested in.....)
...which occurred just last week.
(Yes, English was the first spoken language, and if you believe that, I have these magic beans here in my pocket that you might be interested in.....)
'I cannot doubt that language owes its origin to the imitation and modification, aided by signs and gestures, of various natural sounds, the voices of other animals, and man’s own instinctive cries.'
— Charles Darwin, 1871. The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex
— Charles Darwin, 1871. The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex
This might explain why certain languages still use clicks and whistles along with words. However language came about, it has been a boon and a curse.
A lot of it is interpretation (because many words sound the same when spoken, though have different meanings, and even a simple 'yes' or 'no' can depend on the inflection and tone of the speaker as to it's implication, for when we speak, we do not use punctuation) but that goes for images/art, as well, which may have preceded language? Signing may have been a predecessor as well, but as language became more prevalent most gestures were lost? Except with, perhaps, within certain cultures, as well as in the non-verbal use of obscenities :)
A lot of it is interpretation (because many words sound the same when spoken, though have different meanings, and even a simple 'yes' or 'no' can depend on the inflection and tone of the speaker as to it's implication, for when we speak, we do not use punctuation) but that goes for images/art, as well, which may have preceded language? Signing may have been a predecessor as well, but as language became more prevalent most gestures were lost? Except with, perhaps, within certain cultures, as well as in the non-verbal use of obscenities :)