The Origin of Language in Human Evolution Essay - 1209 Words

Language is a complex system evolved from animal cognition system not from animal communication, suggesting that only humans with complex brain system were capable of developing (Ulbaek, 1998). Whereas other animal species communicate through vocalised sounds, songs, or gestures specially primates such as apes. Similarly gestures and hand gestures were the form of communication used by early hominids, but Homo habilis and Homo erectus started to use vocalisations and decreasing the frequent use of simple hand gestures for communication. Humans developed a spoken linguistic system which is used to express separate and distinct thoughts. Others have suggested with supporting evidence that language evolved through imitation of sound in†¦show more content†¦The anatomy required for human speech is the lungs for the source of wind, inner tube trachea including the vocal cords and larynx and pharynx. These are responsible for the articulation of speech especially the Larynx becau se this set of muscles is essential for producing the sounds of human language. The position of larynx is important because in non-human primates such as apes the larynx is positioned high in the neck therefore preventing the production of sounds. Fitch and Reby (2001) research on the other hand shows that descended larynx is not uniquely human, animals such as red deer do possess descended enabling them to produce vocal sounds but not as complex as humans. In addition, four million years ago in Australopithecus hominids species the larynx had not descended, therefore their ways of communications were through sounds, cries and gestures for example hand signalling (Corballis, 1999). As humans have gradually evolved, brain became larger and posture improved, the neck started to emerge, hand gestures became a secondary role thus making vocal language the main communication system, there were found to be most predominate in era of Homo erectus hominids Another explanation of vocal theory proposes that human language evolved thought imitation of sounds especially in ourShow MoreRelatedAnthropology and Its Branches1728 Words   |  7 PagesAnthropology is the study of human beings, in particular the study of their physical character, evolutionary history, racial classification, historical and present-day geographic distribution, group relationships, and cultural history. Anthropology can be characterized as the naturalistic description and interpretation of the diverse peoples of the world. 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