Origin of Language
Introduction:
The power of speech is probably the single most distinguishing characteristic that differentiates us from animals. The larynx or voice box in humans evolved some 350,000 years. Since that time, considering the variety of languages, dialects sounds and syllables that are spoken today, one can only imagine that the evolution of languages must have had a fascinating history.
Second Paragraph: List of Languages
Bow-wow theory, pooh-pooh theory, ding-dong theory, yo-he-ho theory, ta-ta theory
Natural Sounds:
In 1861, historical linguist Max Müller published a list of speculative theories concerning the origins of spoken language (Müller, F. M. 1996 [1861]. The theoretical stage, and the origin of language. Lecture 9 from Lectures on the Science of Language. Reprinted in R. Harris (ed.), The Origin of Language. Bristol: Thoemmes Press, pp. 7-41)
Bow-wow.
The bow-wow or cuckoo theory, which Müller attributed to the German philosopher Johann Gottfried Herder, saw early words as imitations of the cries of beasts and birds. Bow-wow theories suggest that the first human languages developed as onomatopoeia, imitations of natural sounds.[2] The name "bow-wow theory" was coined by Max Müller, a philologist who was critical of the notion.[3]
The bow-wow theory is largely discredited as an account of the origin of language,[2] though some contemporary theories suggest that general imitative abilities may have played an important role in the evolution of language. [Malle, Bertram F. (2002). "The relation between language and theory of mind in development and evolution"]
The bow-wow theory supposed that men formed habits of using the sounds made by animals, things or events to mean the respective animals, things and events and that these habits started them on the road to inventing other sounds as signs of animals, things or events. For various reasons this theory is discredited. Doubtless after man has language, he will often make the sounds that animals
The power of speech is probably the single most distinguishing characteristic that differentiates us from animals. The larynx or voice box in humans evolved some 350,000 years. Since that time, considering the variety of languages, dialects sounds and syllables that are spoken today, one can only imagine that the evolution of languages must have had a fascinating history.
Second Paragraph: List of Languages
Bow-wow theory, pooh-pooh theory, ding-dong theory, yo-he-ho theory, ta-ta theory
Natural Sounds:
In 1861, historical linguist Max Müller published a list of speculative theories concerning the origins of spoken language (Müller, F. M. 1996 [1861]. The theoretical stage, and the origin of language. Lecture 9 from Lectures on the Science of Language. Reprinted in R. Harris (ed.), The Origin of Language. Bristol: Thoemmes Press, pp. 7-41)
Bow-wow.
The bow-wow or cuckoo theory, which Müller attributed to the German philosopher Johann Gottfried Herder, saw early words as imitations of the cries of beasts and birds. Bow-wow theories suggest that the first human languages developed as onomatopoeia, imitations of natural sounds.[2] The name "bow-wow theory" was coined by Max Müller, a philologist who was critical of the notion.[3]
The bow-wow theory is largely discredited as an account of the origin of language,[2] though some contemporary theories suggest that general imitative abilities may have played an important role in the evolution of language. [Malle, Bertram F. (2002). "The relation between language and theory of mind in development and evolution"]
The bow-wow theory supposed that men formed habits of using the sounds made by animals, things or events to mean the respective animals, things and events and that these habits started them on the road to inventing other sounds as signs of animals, things or events. For various reasons this theory is discredited. Doubtless after man has language, he will often make the sounds that animals
Bibliography: List of all references used