A recent study published in Frontiers in Psychology offers compelling insights into the origins of human language, suggesting that our linguistic capabilities emerged at least 135,000 years ago. This research, led by MIT professor Shigeru Miyagawa and colleagues, utilized genomic evidence to trace the timeline of language development, proposing that language became a fundamental aspect of human society approximately 100,000 years ago.
The study's methodology hinges on the premise that all human languages share a common origin. By examining genomic data to determine when early human populations began dispersing globally, the researchers inferred the existence of a fully developed language capacity prior to these migrations. As Miyagawa explains, the universality of language across all human populations implies that our ancestors possessed linguistic abilities before their initial divergence around 135,000 years ago.
This genomic approach offers a fresh perspective compared to traditional methods that rely on fossil records or archaeological artifacts, which often provide limited information about cognitive functions like language. By focusing on genetic divergence, the researchers present a more precise estimate for the advent of language, aligning with the notion that linguistic capability is a defining characteristic of Homo sapiens.
hi laurie! i think that this article/blog post was very interesting. no one ever really knew how they spoke so this is so interesting to read about. it is so crazy how much civilization has changed over the years and truly, it is all thanks to genetics. genetic diversity has established the good life that we live now. how do you think the speech would be different if this research wasn't done?
ReplyDeleteHi Laurie, I found it interesting that this study suggests language may have developed over 135,000 years ago, even before humans began migrating globally. Using genomic data instead of fossils gives a fresh and more precise perspective. It’s incredible to think language was already a core part of being human so early in our history.
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