Humans speak more than 7,000 languages today, but researchers from MIT suggest all these languages share roots extending from one linguistic family tree dating back before the divergence of distinct human populations, approximately 135,000 years ago. According to MIT linguist Shigeru Miyagawa, the earliest branches of this tree emerged when our ancestors were beginning to establish the foundations for complex communication.
By around 100,000 years ago, this verbal revolution had become ingrained within Homo sapiens, as seen through various archaeological findings, such as symbolic engravings and personal adornments. "Every population branching across the globe has human language, and all languages are related," Miyagawa stated, underscoring the interconnectedness of human languages.
Researchers conducted their study by reviewing 15 distinct scientific investigations, all of which, albeit with different methodologies, arrived at similar conclusions. Techniques involving whole-genome analyses, mitochondrial DNA studies, and Y chromosome assessments all suggest Homo sapiens began forming separate populations about 135,000 years ago. The researchers observed, "Had linguistic capacity developed later, we would expect to find some modern human populations without language or with some fundamentally different mode of communication. Neither is the case." This points to the likelihood of human linguistic capacity existing early on.
Interestingly, the apparent lag between the origination of human language and its widespread presence in archaeological records indicates the development of more complex societal behaviors at the same time. Miyagawa pointed out, "Somehow it stimulated human thinking and helped create these kinds of behaviors." He believes the emergence of language not only facilitated communication but also enabled humans to learn from one another, sparking innovations and leading to notable social developments visible about 100,000 years ago.
While the consensus among these researchers proposes a strong link between the evolution of language and behaviors attributed to modern human society, not all archaeologists are entirely convinced. Some critics argue for a more gradual accumulation of intellectual sophistication, positing language both played its part and was influenced by these societal shifts as early humans experimented with materials and established more elaborate social networks over time.
Whereas the capacity for language may predate our species and can be found among other animals, evidence of systematic symbolic thinking remains rare. While various forms of animal communication have been noted, humans uniquely employ language to create complex meanings, which may be illustrated through idiomatic expressions like "to spill the beans." This complex use of language provides humans with the ability to weave together sophisticated thoughts, allowing for clear and nuanced communication.
Miyagawa emphasized the revolutionary nature of this discovery, asserting: "If we are right, people were learning from each other [due to language] and encouraging innovations of the types we saw 100,000 years ago." He summarized the research succinctly, declaring, "Language was the trigger for modern human behavior," which reinforces the theory of language's pivotal role throughout human evolution.
This significant research was published recently in Frontiers in Psychology, where its findings contribute to the broader dialogue surrounding the origins of language and its effects on human cultural evolution.
