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For most of human history, humans lived without the complex languages that we use today. However, over thousands of years, simple gestures and sounds have evolved into the thousands of spoken languages that are used around the world, which shape both how we think and how we communicate.

Before spoken language evolved, early humans relied on gestures, facial expressions, and basic vocal sounds to communicate. Researchers believe that early human communication resembled that of modern primates, using hand gestures and body language. These were likely the first steps towards the development of spoken language. In addition to body movements, it is believed that early humans also used simple vocal sounds like grunts, cries, and calls to signal strong emotion or distress. However, over time, human communication became more complex as early humans began combining gestures with these simple sounds. This combination of communication methods led to the ability to more easily convey meaning and information. As an article written in May 2019 for Frontiers for Young Minds explains, “The idea that language grew from gestures is known as the gestural theory of language evolution. It is an old idea. We think that language grew from gestures because non-human apes use gestures more flexibly than they use sounds.” The mix of language and sound laid the groundwork for the many complex languages that would eventually emerge. However, humans had to undergo many physical changes for spoken language to become a reality.

For spoken language to even become possible, humans needed to evolve both physically and mentally, developing the biological structures needed for speech. One of the most important developments towards spoken language was the growth of the human brain. According to various researchers, this growth allowed for more complex thought and helped progress even closer toward language. However, for early humans to be able to use spoken language, they didn’t just need psychological evolution; they needed physical evolution too. Adaptations to the vocal tract, the tongue, and the larynx allowed for more complex and diverse vocal sounds than earlier humans were able to produce. It is estimated that these psychological and physical adaptations that allowed for human speech to follow occurred between 100,000 and 200,000 years ago. As research cited by MIT News states, “A new survey of genomic evidence suggests our unique language capacity was present at least 135,000 years ago. Subsequently, language might have entered social use 100,000 years ago.” The development of spoken language was a process that took place over an extremely long span of time and required immense human evolution for it to become possible. This development of spoken language would come with many different advantages.

Humans developed complex language because it provided significant advantages for survival, cooperation, and cultural growth. One of the most important advancements that spoken language provided was the ability to coordinate activities like hunting much more effectively. With better communication, humans could now plan much better and track patterns and animal migration more effectively. Another significant asset that language allowed for was the ability to pass down knowledge and skills to future generations. Rather than solely relying on showing how to do certain things or telling stories through gestures, they could actually teach younger generations much more specifically. Researchers believe that this played a monumental role in tool and technology development. As an article written in 2003 by JF Stein for the National Library of Medicine explains, “Language developed for communication, to facilitate learning the use of tools and weapons, to plan hunting and defence, to develop a “theory of mind” and the tools of thought, and to attract and keep a mate.” The advancements that came from spoken language made it one of the most powerful tools humans have ever created. Because of the incredible advantages it provided, language slowly spread across the world.

As humans traveled and spread to different regions of the globe, language gradually spread and evolved into the plethora of languages spoken today. When groups of people became geographically separated, human languages started to evolve and diverge from each other, with new pronunciations and words being formed into entirely new languages. Environmental factors such as mountains and large bodies of water limited contact between different communities, which allowed for this uninterrupted evolution of communication. However, over time, as trade between communities started emerging, these once-separated and independent languages started to merge together as merchants introduced new words and phrases. As explained by an article written by Steph Koyman in June 2024 for Babbel, “Certain topographical features — especially mountains, large bodies of water, deserts or untamed forests — can play a dramatic role in closing down the channel of mutual intelligibility between neighboring communities or states… and with enough geographical isolation, languages could diverge so much as to be barely recognizable to one another.” This process of change and adaptation continues through the modern era.

Language hasn’t stopped evolving as it continues to change each and every day. New words, slang, and even digital communication all constantly reshape how people interact with one another. What began as simple sounds between early humans has become a powerful story that is still being written.