Chapter 1.
DESCRIPTION
REFLECTIONS ON EACH TOPIC
In this chapter I learn about the creative use of language by
The origins of language, early humans had already developed musical
ability prior to language and were using it “to charm each other.” This may
humans from the inborn signals of animals. Bees returning from
their first flight out of the hive know perfectly how to perform
not match the typical image that most of us have of our early ancestors as
rather rough characters wearing animal skins and not very charming, but it their complex nectar dances. With humans, the precise form of
is an interesting speculation about how language may have originated. It language must be acquired through exposure to a speech
remains, however, a speculation.
community. Words are definitely not inborn, but the capacity to
the ability to produce sound and simple vocal patterning (a hum versus a
grunt, for example) appears to be in an ancient part of the brain that we
share with all vertebrates, including fish, frogs, birds and other mammals.
acquire and language and use it creatively seems to be inborn.