The Origin of Languages
                     THE ORIGIN OF LANGUAGES
INTRODUCTION
The origin of language is quite an enigma. 
No one knows exactly how spoken and 
written languages came about or originated. 
Over the centuries there has been much 
speculation and several theories explaining 
its origins and language evolution. 
Source: www.daytranslations.com
THE BOW-WOW THEORY
Language, according to the Bow-wow 
theory, came into existence when our 
human ancestors began copying the natural 
noises they heard around them. In 
particular, animal sounds were top of the list 
to imitate.
Source: www.daytranslations.com
THE TA-TA THEORY
The overall essence of the Ta-ta theory is 
that spoken language evolved through the 
mimicking of physical movements with 
tongue and lip gestures.
Source: www.daytranslations.com
THE YO-HE-HO THEORY
Human language, according to the Yo-he-ho 
theory, was developed from grunts, snorts, 
moans, and chants elicited by heavy 
physical work from humans.
Source: www.daytranslations.com
THE HISTORY OF HUMAN 
LANGUAGE
It's hard to imagine a cultural phenomenon 
that's more important than the development 
of language. And yet no human attribute 
offers less conclusive evidence regarding its 
origins.
Source: www.thoughtco.com
EGYPTIAN TIMES
The origins of spoken language can be 
traced back to Egypt’s Twenty-sixth dynasty. 
The earliest known human language 
experiment was undertaken by Pharaoh 
Psammetichus I (The First).
Source: www.thoughtco.com
THE TOWER OF BABEL
One bible story that stands out is ‘The Tower 
of Babel’ which explains the origins of the 
multiplicity of languages. The Babylonians, 
according to the book of Genesis, aspired to 
create a name for themselves by 
constructing a huge city and a tower “with 
its summit in the heavens”.
Source: www.thoughtco.com
GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Another analogy goes according to Greek 
mythology with the earliest humans who 
spoke Zeus’ own language. Their belief is 
that language was a gift from the deity Vé, 
who was Odin’s brother.
Source: www.thoughtco.com
ABORIGINAL TALES
There is also a detailed account of another 
emerging theory from Aboriginal Australian 
tradition. It is said that an elderly woman 
named Wurruri died. As a result of her 
death, many different tribes of people 
gathered to devour her carcass. 
Source: www.thoughtco.com
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