From Grunts to Grammar: The Evolution of language

Miller, Jeanne. "From Grunts to Grammar: The Evolution of Language." Odyssey: Adventures in Science

FROM GRUNTS TO GRAMMAR: THE EVOLUTION OF LANGUAGE NOTES 

In this article, "From Grunts to Grammar", I found out about the beginning and the development of language. For a long time scientists and researchers have been asking when  humans start to have more complicated language. We also have been asking when our brain was actually complex enough to develop, use, and understand more intricate language. To be able to have language we didn't only need a developed brain, but also the vocal chords to make the sounds. According to evidence and artifacts we have found, Homo Habilis might have had an area in their brain for speech. Over time our ancestors' brains have changed in complexity and size. This was a major factor in the development of languages. The larynx developed over time so that we can make different noises. Humans have a space right above our larynx. This is helpful because sounds that we make can be modified because of our throat and neck muscles. This probably helped in our development of language.

 The author also talked about how we are different from other mammals because most mammals breathe through their nose only but we breathe through our nose and mouth. Scientists think this developed when we were in the African savannah and needed to hunt. Since we breathed through both nose and mouth, we had more stamina.We actually have no evidence of language since it was 100% oral, but we can find out a bit about language by looking at our ancestors larynx and brain. To travel from place to place, it was important to have communication. An example was when homo sapiens were spreading to Australia. To be able to make boats to go across water, they needed a lot of communication.

 I think this article is great because it goes into depth about the major factors of the development of language. It also talks a lot about these factors and how they were changed over time. One thing the author could do better is explain how the larynx works because I got very confused. I also liked how the author describes why and how the different factors  affected language development. The article  has a lot of details and examples to back up its different points.