NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF MODERN LANGUAGES
Presented to: Sir Rao Kashif Jalil
Presented by: Sana Zahra
Eyman Sohail
Hajra Junaid
Sidra Kazmi
Class: BSc English 2nd
semester
Subject: Intro to languages
Date: 05/3/2025
Scheme of Assignment
In this assignment, we will explore four key aspects of the origin of language:
• The First Sounds: Theories on how human speech might have started from natural sounds,
gestures, or emotional expressions.
• The Puzzle of Proto-Languages: How early languages developed and gave rise to modern
languages.
• Culture and Language: The relationship between human societies and language development.
• The Evolution and Transformation of Language: How language continues to change due to
technology, globalization, and artificial intelligence.
By examining these aspects, we aim to understand how language emerged from simple sounds
into the vast, intricate system of communication we use today.
Introduction
(Written by Member 1 - Eyman)
Language is the backbone of human communication, allowing us to express thoughts, emotions,
and ideas. But how did it all begin? The origin of language remains one of the most fascinating
and debated topics in linguistics, anthropology, and cognitive science. Unlike physical artifacts,
language leaves no fossils, making its origins difficult to trace. However, numerous theories
attempt to explain how language first emerged and evolved over time.
The First Sounds: Theories on the Birth of Speech
(Written by Member 1 - Eyman)
The question of how humans first began to speak has fascinated scholars for centuries. Many
theories attempt to explain how language originated, each offering a unique perspective on its
development.
• One of the most popular theories is the Bow-Wow Theory, which suggests that early humans
imitated the sounds of nature. For example, they might have mimicked a bird’s "cuckoo" or a
dog's "woof," eventually associating these sounds with specific meanings. This theory explains
onomatopoeic words like "buzz" and "roar," but it does not fully account for abstract words that
have no natural sound association.
• The Ding-Dong Theory proposes that humans assigned sounds to objects based on their
characteristics. For instance, sharp, quick sounds might have been associated with hard objects
like rocks, while softer sounds were linked to flowing water. This theory implies an instinctive
connection between sound and meaning, though there is little concrete evidence supporting it.
• Another possibility is the Gestural Theory, which argues that before humans developed
spoken language, they relied on gestures to communicate. Over time, these gestures may have
been accompanied by vocal sounds, eventually evolving into full speech. This idea is supported
by the fact that modern sign languages are fully functional languages with their own grammar
and structure.
• Finally, the Pooh-Pooh Theory suggests that language developed from instinctive emotional
expressions such as laughter, cries, or sighs. These natural exclamations might have evolved into
more structured sounds and eventually words.
While no single theory fully explains the birth of language, most researchers believe that it was a
gradual process influenced by social, cognitive, and biological factors.
The Puzzle of Proto-Languages: Tracing the Roots of Speech
(Written by Member 2- Sidra)
Once early humans began producing meaningful sounds, how did these sounds evolve into the
thousands of languages spoken today? Linguists believe that modern languages are descended
from proto-languages, which were early forms of communication that existed before written
records.
A proto-language is a hypothetical ancestor of a group of related languages. Since these
languages were never recorded, linguists reconstruct them by studying common patterns among
existing languages. One of the most well-known proto-languages is Proto-Indo-European
(PIE), believed to be the common ancestor of many modern languages, including English, Urdu,
Hindi, French, and Latin.
For example, PIE words evolved into modern words over time:
• PIE: pater → Latin: pater → English: father
• PIE: bhrater → Sanskrit: bhrata → English: brother
• PIE: wódr̥ → German: wasser → English: water
The study of proto-languages shows that languages evolve in structured ways. Sound shifts,
such as Grimm’s Law, explain how consonants change over time, influencing the way words
develop across different languages.
Languages also change due to language contact, migration, and cultural shifts. For example,
when the Normans invaded England in 1066, they introduced thousands of French words into
English, permanently altering the language. Similarly, colonial expansion spread European
languages across the globe, leading to the rise of new dialects and creoles.
Proto-languages help us understand not only where our languages come from but also how they
continuously evolve and adapt over time.
Brain, Culture, and Language: The Science behind Speech
(Written by Member 3 - Hajra)
Language is a uniquely human ability, made possible by both biological and cultural factors.
While culture shapes the way we speak, the human brain provides the foundation for language
itself.
1. The Brain’s Role in Language
Two key areas of the brain are responsible for language:
• Broca’s Area: Located in the frontal lobe, this region controls speech production. Damage to
this area can make speaking difficult, even if comprehension remains intact.
• Wernicke’s Area: Found in the temporal lobe, this region helps us understand language.
Damage here can cause individuals to speak in sentences that don’t make sense.
A critical discovery in language evolution is the FOXP2 gene, often called the "language gene."
It plays a major role in speech and communication. Studies show that humans with mutations in
FOXP2 struggle with forming words, suggesting that this gene was essential in the development
of spoken language.
2. The Cultural Influence on Language
Language is more than just a tool for communication—it is deeply intertwined with culture. The
way people speak, the words they use, and the structure of their language are all shaped by their
environment and social needs.
One clear example of cultural influence is vocabulary. Different cultures develop unique words
based on what is important to them. For instance:
• The Inuit people have multiple words for different types of snow, reflecting their environment.
• The Pirahã tribe in the Amazon lacks numbers, showing that their culture does not rely on
counting.
• Languages like German and Japanese contain words that have no direct English translation,
such as schadenfreude (joy from someone else’s misfortune) or tsundoku (buying books and
never reading them).
Grammar and sentence structure can also reflect cultural values. For example, some languages,
like Japanese, emphasize politeness and hierarchy through verb forms and honorifics. Others,
like English, focus on clarity and directness.
Cultural changes also drive language evolution. As societies advance, they create new words for
technology, science, and modern concepts. English, for instance, borrows heavily from other
languages, adopting words like emoji (Japanese) and entrepreneur (French).
In today’s globalized world, languages are mixing more than ever, leading to new dialects, slang,
and hybrid languages. This constant evolution demonstrates that language is not just a product of
the human mind—it is a living reflection of culture and society.
The Evolution and Transformation of Language
(Written by Member 4 - Sana)
Language is not static—it is constantly changing. As technology, society, and communication
methods evolve, so does language. Today, digital communication and artificial intelligence (AI)
are reshaping the way we use language in ways never seen before.
1. Digital Language and Abbreviations
With the rise of the internet and texting, people now use abbreviations like "LOL," "BRB," and
"OMG." Emoji’s have also become a major form of communication, often replacing full
sentences with symbols (e.g., 😂🔥 means "That’s hilarious!").
2. AI and Machine Learning in Language
Artificial intelligence, such as ChatGPT and voice assistants like Siri, is advancing rapidly. AI
can generate human-like text, translate languages instantly, and even detect emotions in speech.
In 2017, Facebook developed AI catboats that created their own language, forcing researchers to
shut them down. This raises questions about whether AI could develop a language that humans
cannot understand.
3. The Future of Language: A Universal Tongue?
As English dominates global communication, some predict that we may one day have a single
global language. Others believe that technology will eliminate language barriers, allowing people
to communicate in any language through instant translation.
Regardless of how it evolves, language will always remain a fundamental part of human identity.
The way we communicate today is different from the past, but the essence of language—
connecting people and ideas—will never change.
REFERENCES:
Books & Academic Sources
• Crystal, D. (2010). The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language. Cambridge University Press.
• Covers theories on the origins of language, proto-languages, and linguistic evolution.
• Pinker, S. (1994). The Language Instinct: How the Mind Creates Language. Harper Perennial.
• Discusses the biological basis of language, including the FOXP2 gene and brain regions
responsible for speech.
• Bicker ton, D. (1990). Language and Species. University of Chicago Press.
• Explores proto-languages, gestural communication, and the evolutionary process of language
development.
Journal Articles & Research Papers
• Fitch, W. T. (2010). The Evolution of Language. Cambridge University Press.
• Examines theories such as the Bow-Wow and Pooh-Pooh theories.
• Tomas Ello, M. (2008). Origins of Human Communication. MIT Press.
• Focuses on gestural theory and how early communication might have evolved from gestures to
spoken language.
• Lieberman, P. (2007). The Evolution of Human Speech: Its Anatomical and Neural Bases.
Current Anthropology, 48(1), 39-66.
• Discusses the role of brain regions like Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas in language production.
Online Sources & Reports
• Everett, D. (2012). Language: The Cultural Tool. Pantheon Books.
• Explores how culture influences language, with examples like the Pirahã tribe and Inuit
vocabulary for snow.
• Facebook AI Experiment (2017). Reports on AI catboats creating their own language.
• Source: BBC News & the Independent articles on AI communication experiments.
• Ethnologies: Languages of the World.
• Provides statistics on language evolution and extinction trends. (www.ethnologue.com)
WORD COUNT; 1163
