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ORIGIN OF LANGUAGE

The first language of human species is the subject of scholarly discussions for many
centuries. There is no consensus on the origin or age of the human language. This subject is
difficult to study because of lack of direct evidence. Therefore, scholars who wish to study the
origin of the language should have inferences from other forms of evidence such as fossil record,
archaeological evidence, diversity of language variations, language acquisition, and comparison
between human language and communication systems that exist in animals (especially other
primates). Many argue that the origin of the language may be related to the origins of modern
human behavior, but there is little agreement about the implications and direction of this
connection.

It is invented by Max Mller and George Romanes a century ago that there are many theories
about the origins of language. These are the following theories:
Mama theory - The language starts with the simplest syllable attached to the most important
thing.
Ta-ta theory - Sir Richard Paget, influenced by Darwin, believes that the body's movement is
preceded by the language. The language began as an unconscious vocal imitation of these
movements - like the way a child's mouth moves when they use scissors, or my tongue comes
out when I try to play the guitar. It grew up in a popular idea that the language could be derived
from moves.
Bow-wow theory - Language started as imitation of natural sounds - moo, choo-choo, crash,
clang, buzz, bang, meow ... It is more technically referred to as onomatopoeia or echoism.
Pooh-pooh theory - The language began with interjections, innate emotive crying like oh! for
the surprise and ouch! for pain.
Ding-dong theory - Some people, including famous linguist Max Muller, have revealed that
there is a mysterious sequence between sounds and meanings. The small, sharp, high-altitude
tend to have words with high-front vowels in many languages, while large, round, lower objects
tend to have reverse vowels! Compare its bitsy teeny weeny to the moon, for example. It is often
referred to as good symbolism.
Yo-he-ho theory - The language began as rhythm of singing, perhaps late from the grunt of
heavy work (heave-ho!). The linguist A. S. Diamond indicates that they probably need help or
cooperation combined with appropriate actions. It may link yo-he-ho to the same theory, such as
words like cut, break, crush, strike
Sing-song theory - Danish linguist Jesperson says that language is playing in play, laughter,
conversation, courtship, emotional conversation and more. He also implies that, contrary to other
theories, perhaps some of our first words are really long and musical, rather than the short grunts
which many think we begin.
Hey you! theory - A linguist in Revesz's name suggested that we always need interpersonal
communication, and that language started as sounds to signal the same identity (here I am!) And
belonging (with me!) .We can also weep over fear, anger, or hurt (help me!). This is commonly
referred to as the theory of contact.
Hocus pocus theory - My own contribution to this is the idea that the language may have
some roots in a kind of magical or religious aspect of our ancestors' lives. Perhaps we started
calling game animals with mysterious sounds, which became their names.
Eureka! theory - And finally, perhaps that language is intentionally invented. Perhaps some
ancestors have the idea of assigning unreasonable sounds to mean some things. Obviously, once
the idea has come up, it gets caught like wild-fire!

About the origin of the first language, there are two main assumptions, or beliefs. Neither the
current knowledge can be proven or undeniable.
Belief in divine creation - Many societies throughout history believe that the language is the
gift of gods to men. The most familiar is found in Genesis 2:20, which tells us that Adam gave
names to all living creatures. This belief implies that humans were created from the beginning of
a natural capacity to use language.It does not prove that language is as old as people, but it is true
that society and human society are inseparable. Wherever people exist the language exists. Each
tribal age stone experienced has a language equivalent to English, Latin, or Greek in terms of its
potential indication and complexity of grammar. These technologies can be complex or simple,
but the language is always complicated.
Natural evolution hypothesis - At some point in their evolutionary development people have
acquired a more sophisticated brain that has made the invention of language and possibly a
study. In other words, at some point in time people have changed a language acquisition device,
no matter what it may be in real physical terms. The simple vocalizations and their inherited
from our monkey monkey then quickly create a creative language system - perhaps within a
generation or two. Mention the theory about rewinding the visual cortex of the brain in a
language area. According to the natural theory of evolution, as soon as humans have developed
biological, or neurological, capacity for creative languages, the cultural development of some
particular system of forms with definitions is a inevitable next step.

Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origin_of_language
http://pandora.cii.wwu.edu/vajda/ling201/test1materials/origin_of_language.htm
http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/langorigins.html

SUBMITTED BY: JOHN CEDRIC D. SANCHEZ


STEM 11-C
SUBMITTED TO: MS. CLARISSE CRUZ

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