The document discusses various theories regarding the origin of language, highlighting the differences among them and their implications for understanding how language developed. It covers theories such as the divine gift theory, natural sound source theories, and the genetic source hypothesis, each providing different explanations for the emergence of language. Overall, while many of these theories offer insights, they often fall short in explaining the complexities of language evolution and grammar development.

1. Language Origin

2. Learning objective
 To develop an idea about Language by analyzing the different theories of the
Language.
 How and why Theories of language are different with one another.

3. We know or not?
Bernard Campbell describes about language origin that "We simply do not know, and
never will, how or when language began.“
Humankind Emerging
(Allyn & Bacon, 2005),

4. Need of the Theories of Language?
 What was the first language?
 How did language begin—where and when?
 How did humans first discover their ability to speak and begin to devise the first
language?

5.  Later on it is devised by linguists, a number of “innovative theories.”
 These theories explain the possible ways in which language was first
invented in humans.
 So here are the following explanations of a few examples of hypotheses.

6. Language Theories Development
With the passage of time, over the centuries, many theories have been
introduced to make an idea about the nature and the origin of the
language.
Each theory provide explanation for only a small part of what we know
about language rather than the detail of the origin of the language
actually.

7. Language as a Divine Gift Theory
 This theory claims that language is a gift from a divine power—it was
given to humans fully formed, rather than being developed over
time.
• Examples from Religious Texts:
• The Tower of Babel (Bible, Genesis 11):
According to this story, all people once spoke the same language. To
stop them from building a tower to the heavens, God confused their
speech, creating multiple languages.
• Islamic Tradition:
In the Qur’an, it is said that Adam was taught the names of all things by
God, giving him the ability to use language.

8. • Logical Analysis:
• Many cultures throughout history believed that language was too complex
and unique to have developed naturally. They viewed it as a divine or
supernatural gift.
• Criticism and Counterpoint:
• This theory lacks scientific evidence. While it explains the origin of language
from a spiritual viewpoint, it does not address how languages evolve or how
new languages form over time (such as the development of English from
Anglo-Saxon roots).
• Linguists argue that language must have evolved gradually, just like other
human skills.
 Reference: Yule, G. (2020). The Study of Language. Cambridge University
Press.

9. Natural Sound Source Theories
 These theories argue that humans started communicating by mimicking the
sounds they heard in nature or by expressing emotions instinctively.
 A. Bow-wow Theory
This theory is named after the sound dogs make, "bow-wow," because it suggests
that early human language was created by imitating the natural sounds heard in
the environment, like animal noises. The name reflects the idea that humans
mimicked these sounds to communicate.
• Explanation:
Humans imitated the sounds they heard in their environment to refer to objects
or animals.
• Example:
• Early humans may have heard a dog bark “woof” and started using “woof” to refer to dogs.
• The sound of a river might inspire the word “gurgle.”

10. The Ding-Dong Theory (Sound
Symbolism)
The name "ding-dong" symbolizes the idea that sounds naturally
resonate with the external world, similar to the way a bell reacts to
being struck. The association between sounds and objects is
automatic, like a bell ringing when hit.
The “ding-dong” hypothesis explores the origins of language on
onomatopoeia.
This Language theory developed by Edward Thorndike's and Adam Smith in
1943.
This idea affirms that language began when humans started naming objects
after a significant sound that was already absorbed in their everyday life.
For instance,
It includes words such as “boom,” “crash,” and “oink.”

11. • Strengths:
• Some modern words are still onomatopoeic, meaning they resemble the
sounds they describe (e.g., “buzz,” “moo,” “chirp”).
• Criticism:
• While this theory explains how simple words could emerge, it doesn’t
account for abstract language or how humans developed grammar and
complex sentences. Words like "freedom" or "justice" don't have sounds in
nature to imitate.
 Reference: Aitchison, J. (2011). The Articulate Mammal: An
Introduction to Psycholinguistics. Routledge.

12. B. Pooh-pooh Theory
This theory refers to instinctive emotional sounds like “ouch” or “oh,” which
people make in response to pain, surprise, or other feelings. The name "pooh-
pooh" is playful and mirrors these types of expressive, involuntary cries, capturing
the theory's focus on spontaneous emotional sounds.
According to this theory, language began with instinctive emotional expressions
like cries of pain, surprise, or joy. These sounds might have evolved into words.
•Example:
•A person might cry “Ouch!” when hurt, or say “Ah!” when happy. Over
time, these instinctive sounds could have developed into meaningful words
or warnings.
•Logical Analysis:
•This theory makes sense for basic emotional sounds but doesn’t explain how
humans began forming complex sentences with rules and structure. Emotional
sounds are limited and can’t express abstract concepts.

13.  The problem with this hypothesis, is that exclamations, such as the emotional
responses that one might relates with these “pooh-pooh” phrases, are in
fact dependent on language rather than of a basis through which
language can be originated.
 For instance, the essence of emotional response for pain is “ouch” in English,
“oi” in Russian and “eee” in Cherokee.

14. The La-La Theory (Musical or
Emotional Expression)
 The "la-la" name reflects the idea of musical or lyrical sounds that are
produced during emotional or romantic moments. It captures the
notion of language emerging from the melodic and expressive nature
of early human communication.
 This concept about languages origin is developed by the Danish linguist
Otto Jespersen.
 He explored that language may have build up from sounds associated
with love, play, and (especially) song.
 This theory still fails to account for "the gap between the emotional and
the rational aspects of speech expression.“
David Crystal notes in How Language Works (Penguin, 2005),

15. TA-TA Theory (Gestural Communication)
"Ta-ta" is an example of a gesture-based word, often used by children when
waving goodbye. The name reflects the idea that early speech mirrored
gestures and body movements, with sounds and actions being linked in
communication.
TA-TA Theory commonly seen in primates, hand gestures and body movement
are significant features of interaction and cooperation within societies.
This Hypothesis primarily developed by Charles Darwin, but not necessarily
supported by him.
The “ta-ta” hypothesis describes that language and the enlargement of sound
was generated to support the hand gestures and movements of the individual.
So the demonstration of the meaning behind the gestures, these sounds
developed into more and more distinctive expressions/words or combinations
of sounds inevitably leading to speech patterns.

16. Criticism
 like other hypothesis, the cultural roots of varying hand gestures
proposes that this is most likely not the reason behind language.
 Where in some places nodding means “yes,” in others nodding means
the opposite. Such distinct cultural variation entails that this is not a
sound belief.

17. Social Interaction Theory (Yo-he-ho
Theory)
The "yo-he-ho" name comes from rhythmic chants or sounds that people
might make during group activities like lifting heavy objects. This theory
suggests language developed through coordinated group efforts, with
sounds helping to synchronize work. "Yo-he-ho" reflects this idea of chanting
or vocalizing together.
 This theory suggests that language emerged as a tool for group
coordination during work and other social activities.
• Explanation:
• Early humans working together needed to communicate to coordinate their
actions. Sounds like chants or rhythmic shouts could have gradually evolved
into meaningful words and phrases.
• Example:
• When lifting a heavy object, a group might chant “Heave-ho!” in union. Over
time, these sounds could evolve into words associated with cooperation and
actions.

18. • Strengths:
• This theory emphasizes that language is social in nature.
Communication is essential for survival, especially in cooperative tasks
like hunting or building shelters.
• Even today, we use certain verbal rhythms to synchronize group
activities (e.g., rowing chants).
• Criticism:
• This theory explains the social function of early language, but doesn’t
account for the development of grammar and abstract thought in
modern languages.
 Reference: Dunbar, R. (1996). Grooming, Gossip, and the Evolution
of Language. Harvard University Press.

19. Physical Adaptation Theory
This name reflects the focus on the biological changes in human anatomy that made
speech possible, such as the development of the vocal tract and brain areas involved in
language. It emphasizes the physical evolution of humans rather than the sounds they
made.
 Key Physical Features:
1. Lowered Larynx:
1. Humans have a lower voice box (larynx), which allows for a wider range of sounds.
2. Tongue Flexibility:
1. Our tongue can move in many directions, making it easier to form different sounds.
3. Brain Development:
1. The Broca’s area and Wernicke’s area in the brain are specialized regions for
speech production and understanding.

20. • Examples:
• Apes can’t speak like humans because their vocal tracts are different.
• Babies are born with the ability to babble and produce sounds, showing
that speech is closely linked to our physical development.
• Criticism:
• This theory explains how humans are physically capable of speaking, but
it doesn't tell us why we started using language or how words and
meanings emerged.
 Reference: Lieberman, P. (2007). The Evolution of Language.
Cambridge University Press.

21. Genetic Source (Innateness
Hypothesis)
 The "Genetic Source" refers to the idea that humans are born with
the innate ability to learn language—it's "in our genes." The name
highlights the biological foundation for language.
 This theory, supported by Noam Chomsky, argues that humans are
born with the ability to learn language.
• Universal Grammar:
• Chomsky proposed that all humans share a universal grammar—a set of
rules that apply to every language. This explains why children can easily
learn any language they are exposed to.
• Example:
• A child raised in Japan learns Japanese, while a child raised in France learns
French. Both learn effortlessly, without formal instruction.

22. • Critical Period Hypothesis:
• This idea suggests that if children aren’t exposed to language by a
certain age (around puberty), they may never fully acquire it.
• Example:
• Genie’s Case: A girl named Genie was isolated from language until age 13.
When found, she could learn some words but never developed full grammar,
showing the importance of early exposure.
• Strengths:
• This theory emphasizes the biological basis of language. Language is
not just a cultural invention but a natural ability of the human brain.
 Reference: Chomsky, N. (2002). On Nature and Language.
Cambridge University Press.