The Evolutionary Development of Human Language

Abstract

One of the most intriguing questions of mankind is the question of how human language evolved. Human language is the primary feature that distinguishes humans from animals. How Homo sapiens acquired language is an open, highly disputed question. So far, science hasn't delivered a satisfactory solution. The most important reason for this failure lies in the fact that no physical evidence for the development of the brain – which plays the central role in the rise of humans – is available. The previous assumption that genetic mutations of the brain were responsible for the evolution of language is not convincing because this would have required two simultaneous genetic mutation of Homo sapiens: a genetic mutation of the brain, and subsequently a mutation of the speaking-apparatus. This seems extremely improbable. We will show here that only the genetic mutation of the speaking-apparatus was necessary. Then two factors came together: in addition to a highly developed brain (which all hominids had and have) an adequate speaking-apparatus was the main factor for the development of language. Upright walking also helped as it enabled them to point with their hands. Some phenotypical mutations also occurred when Homo sapiens started to develop language. One was higher myelinization which improved the signal speed in the human brain compared to other animals. The second one was the development of special areas in the cortex that supported language, understanding and thinking: Wernicke's area and Broca's area. We will also show the connection between human language and human thinking, which is based on the second level of abstraction. This connection proves that the Neanderthals didn't have a sophisticated language. Such a language only developed in Homo sapiens.