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The document discusses several theories on the origin of language: 1) The Bow-Wow Theory proposes that early language involved imitating natural sounds. 2) The Pooh-Pooh Theory suggests language emerged from spontaneous cries and emotions. 3) The Ding Dong Theory maintains sounds were connected to environmental qualities. 4) The Yo-he-ho Theory argues language evolved from grunts and snorts during physical labor. However, the theories all have flaws and the origins of human language remain deeply mysterious.

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246 views3 pages

PDF Chapter I ELS 102 PDF

The document discusses several theories on the origin of language: 1) The Bow-Wow Theory proposes that early language involved imitating natural sounds. 2) The Pooh-Pooh Theory suggests language emerged from spontaneous cries and emotions. 3) The Ding Dong Theory maintains sounds were connected to environmental qualities. 4) The Yo-he-ho Theory argues language evolved from grunts and snorts during physical labor. However, the theories all have flaws and the origins of human language remain deeply mysterious.

Uploaded by

Vhon Alvero
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ELS 102 – Theories of Language and Language Acquisition

THEORIES ON THE ORIGIN OF LANGUAGE

A written report presented to


Mr. Howard Aries V. Ronquillo
and the 1st year students of
Bachelor of Arts in English Language Studies
Tarlac State University

In partial fulfillment for the course


ELS 102 – Theories of Language and Language Acquisition

HOWARD ARIES V. RONQUILLO


January 2023
ELS 102 – Theories of Language and Language Acquisition

THEORIES ON THE ORIGIN OF LANGUAGE

The origin of the of word ‘language’ can be traced down to the Latin word ‘Lingua’ which implies
‘tongue.’ French terms ‘langage’, ‘langue’ and ‘parole’ also bear impressions on ‘Language’.
These terms imply ‘a specific form of speech’. Edward Sapir defines Language as “Language is a
primarily human and non- instinctive method of communicating ideas, emotions and desires by
means of a system of voluntarily produced symbols”

Hence language is stated as documentary and non- instinctive. We acquire it by living in the society
and our family. Every language has a system established through convention and is said to “live
on the lips and ears of the people”. Language has its own words, system sounds etc, It is symbolic,
a physical and mental manifestation of a nonphysical (emotional, intellectual, spiritual) and
internal state. An articulated system of signs, primarily realized in the medium of speech.

There are different beliefs and theories regarding the origin of language. Linguists earlier found it
difficult to arrive at a conclusion about the origin of language due to the absence of adequate
evidences. But today, we have more evidences including genetic data. As per the archeological
records, the archaic humans like Neanderthal, had the neural development and the anatomical
features necessary for linguistic communication. But there is difference of opinion about the use
of language by Neanderthals.

It is assumed that gestural communication (communication through gestures) started initially. It


later on changed to spoken languages. It was important to spare our hands to use tools for survival.
So, in earlier times instead of hand gestures, humans began to use sound for communication. Along
with sparing their hands, it enabled humans to talk in the dark. They were also able to communicate
about past incidents. But it was not known, from when humans started using language. Possibly it
was evolved with the Homo sapiens in the Stone Age.

Following are some of the theories related to the speculative origin of language:

1. The Bow-Wow Theory: According to this theory, language began when our ancestors
started imitating the natural sounds around them. The first speech was onomatopoeic—marked
by echoic words such as moo, meow, splash, cuckoo, and bang.

Take note: Relatively few words are onomatopoeic, and these words vary from one language to
another. For instance, a dog's bark is heard as au au in Brazil, ham ham in Albania, and wang,
wang in China. In addition, many onomatopoeic words are of recent origin, and not all are derived
from natural sounds.

2. The Pooh- Pooh Theory: Speech is derived from the automatic emission of painful
feelings. This theory holds that speech began with interjections—spontaneous cries of pain
("Ouch!"), surprise ("Oh!"), and other emotions ("Yabba dabba do!").

Take note: No language contains very many interjections, and, Crystal points out, "the clicks,
intakes of breath, and other noises which are used in this way bear little relationship to
the vowels and consonants found in phonology."

3. The Ding Dong Theory: Speech is developed gradually by the harmonization of sound and
sense. This theory, favored by Plato and Pythagoras, maintains that speech arose in response to the
essential qualities of objects in the environment. The original sounds people made were supposedly
in harmony with the world around them.
ELS 102 – Theories of Language and Language Acquisition

Take note: Apart from some rare instances of sound symbolism, there is no persuasive evidence,
in any language, of an innate connection between sound and meaning.

4. The Yo-he-ho Theory: Sound was produced by regulating the breath as a result of strong
muscular action of mouth. According to this theory, language evolved from the grunts, groans, and
snorts evoked by heavy physical labor.

Take note: Though this notion may account for some of the rhythmic features of the language, it
doesn't go very far in explaining where words come from. As Peter Farb says in "Word Play: What
Happens When People Talk" (Vintage, 1993): "All these speculations have serious flaws, and none
can withstand the close scrutiny of present knowledge about the structure of language and about
the evolution of our species."

FAQs:

How did language start?


Scholars continue to ponder when and how language emerged as they have for centuries.
Language is a communication system comprising sounds, words, and grammar. The origins of
human language are a mystery. Most historians believe that language began 150,000 years ago,
while written language appeared 6000 years ago.
When did humans evolve language?
The theories of language evolution have been a controversial topic of debate among
scholars such as linguists, archeologists, biologists, and anthropologists. The topic is so
contentious that in 1866 the Linguistic Society of Paris forbade further research into the origins of
language.
What was the first language spoken?
Studying the origin of language presents many challenges; there is little evidence to provide
insight into early language. Scholars can only make inferences on how, why, and when language
began. Many theories on the origins and evolution of language have been made; however, none
have been confirmed.

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