Human Speech Arrived Earlier Than Previously Thought

[Isabeau]

The dawn of speech was millions of years earlier than previously thought

For more than fifty years, scientists have thought that the origin of speech depended on one pivotal moment 200,000 years ago. That’s when the human larynx descended, elongating the vocal tract. Until now, this physiological innovation was seen as the root of humans’ unique ability to communicate verbally with one another. But a new paper suggests that estimate may be off — by a couple of million years.

 

[Essence Lumin]

The dawn of speech was millions of years earlier than previously thought

The headline is misleading. As I read it, the leading theory of when speech began till now involved the idea that multiple vowels could not be produced until the larynx was in a low position, and that was a prerequisite for speech. That happened 200,000 years ago. This latest paper gives evidence that is not a prerequisite. That means speech might have evolved much earlier. There is no evidence that it actually did however.

I am not at all qualified for reading these sorts of scientific papers so sorry if I mangled it.

 

[Isabeau]

My title is what’s wrong. I tried to shorten it for space. My bad. The actual title refers to the dawn of speech. Whatever the title, I thought the findings interesting having studied in linguistics. I remember discussions about the subject that would get the whole class excited.

 

[Veritable Quandry]

I'm not surprised. It's clear from what we have found that other closely related hominids could communicate ideas in some way given that art and ritual objects can be found at Neanderthal sites. If they were communicating complex ideas, than they probably had speech capable of expressing those ideas. If speech evolved before Homo sapiens, than it probably existed in other related species as well.

 

[Beebo Brink]

Scientists have consistently underestimated the abilities of early hominids, just as they consistently underestimate other animals. The hubris of modern humans is deeply rooted in our assumptions about the nature of life on this planet, now and before. We're so desperate to prove we're special and God's chosen lifeform.

 

[Argent Stonecutter]

I don't see why multiple distinct vowels are required for speech. There have been written languages where vowels are not even recorded. Bunch of Cromagnonist bigots, I say.

 

[Ashiri]

I don't see why multiple distinct vowels are required for speech. There have been written languages where vowels are not even recorded. Bunch of Cromagnonist bigots, I say.

A good point. Languages come with all number of consonant and vowels. Some get by with fewer vowels than we English speakers consider usual.

 

[Beebo Brink]

Could they whistle and click? Because there are languages that use sounds of all kinds.

 

[Essence Lumin]

Sign language doesn't have vowels other than for spelling out the alphabet (I think).

 

[danielravennest]

Scientists have consistently underestimated the abilities of early hominids, just as they consistently underestimate other animals. The hubris of modern humans is deeply rooted in our assumptions about the nature of life on this planet, now and before. We're so desperate to prove we're special and God's chosen lifeform.

A number of animals make tools - chimpanzees, elephants, and crows for example. As far as I know, humans and our closest relatives are the only "sequential toolmakers" - using tools to make other tools. An early example would be using a digging stick to pry up suitable rocks, flaking the rocks to make a hand axe, then using the hand axe to cut and shape another digging stick.