Where Does Language Come From?

The Takeaway

A new study has traced the origins of language to ancient South Africa, implying that there’s one starting place for modern language. So what were the first words? Likely simple verbs and nouns that reflected the immediate needs of the population, says Mark Pagel, professor of evolutionary biology at the University of Reading in England. He’s a former professor and advisor to the author of the study, Quentin Atkinson.

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