Language and Culture Prof. R. Hickey ss 2006 The evolution of language

Conclusion

• Language appeared about 200,000 years ago and developed very fast between 100,000 and 75,000 years ago (language bonfire theory)
• Language probably emerged to satisfy a need of interaction or to influence other individuals
• Language probably developed from gesture. Sign language has been the intermediate between the two:

• Primate communication

• Sign language

• Human language

• Sound-producing, sound-receiving, sound-planning, sound-interpreting mechanisms and the particular position of the larynx, among others, allow the human beings to produce sounds which are unique to our species.