The origin of language

Summary

The video script introduces the course 'Introduction to Linguistics' for a semester. It explains key topics to be covered, starting with the origin of language and differences between animal and human communication. The professor highlights theories on language origin, including divine sources, natural sounds, and physical adaptations. Theories from figures like Charles Darwin and religious texts are discussed. The professor also touches on language development from tools and genetic sources. The session sets the stage for deeper exploration of linguistics, emphasizing curiosity and interactive learning.

Takeaways

• 📘 The lecturer introduces the 'Introduction to Linguistics' course for the semester, outlining its contents and the RPS (course syllabus) details.
• 🧠 The first lecture will cover the origins of language, followed by differences between animal and human communication, and sound in language.
• 🎶 Charles Darwin's theory suggests humans developed musical abilities before speech, using sounds to attract attention before speaking.
• ❓ The exact origin of language is unknown, with different theories and religious interpretations speculating on what the first language was.
• 📜 Divine source theory explains that language was a gift from God, with religious texts like the Quran, Bible, and Hindu scriptures offering different interpretations.
• 👑 An ancient experiment by Pharaoh aimed to determine the first language. The child involved eventually spoke the word 'bekos,' meaning bread in Egyptian.
• 🌳 The natural sound source theory suggests that language originated from imitating sounds in nature, like animal calls, though this theory has its limitations.
• 👥 The social interaction source theory posits that language developed through social interactions, with words like 'hey' emerging from basic human calls.
• 🦷 Physical adaptation theory highlights that human anatomy, such as teeth and vocal cords, evolved to enable speech.
• 🛠 The tool-making source theory claims language evolved alongside the creation of tools, as humans named new objects and concepts.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the course 'Introduction to Linguistics'?

The course focuses on the study of linguistics, covering topics such as the origin of language, differences between human and animal communication, and various linguistic theories.

What is the first topic discussed in the 'Introduction to Linguistics' course?

The first topic discussed is 'The Origin of Language,' which explores theories about how language may have developed.

According to the course, what is Charles Darwin's theory on the origin of language?

Charles Darwin theorized that humans developed musical abilities, such as making sounds or rhythmic gestures, before they were able to speak.

What is the Divine Source theory of language origin?

The Divine Source theory suggests that language was given directly by God, as mentioned in religious texts like the Quran and the Bible.

How does the course describe the experiment conducted by the Pharaoh in ancient Egypt?

The Pharaoh took a newborn child and isolated them from spoken language to determine if the first words spoken would reveal the original human language. The child later said 'Bekos,' which means bread in Egyptian.

What is the Natural Sound Source theory of language origin?

This theory suggests that language developed from humans imitating natural sounds, such as 'krik-krik' for crickets. However, it has limitations since not all objects make sounds.

What does the Social Interaction Source theory suggest about language development?

It suggests that language developed through social interaction, with words like 'hey' or 'hello' emerging from the need to communicate with others.

What is the Physical Adaptation Source theory?

This theory posits that language arose due to physical changes in the human body, such as the development of vocal cords and teeth that enabled speech.

What role does tool-making play in language development according to the Tool-Making Source theory?

The theory suggests that language emerged as humans created tools, leading to the need to name objects, such as 'handphone' or 'WhatsApp,' which resulted from new inventions.

What is the Genetic Source theory of language development?

This theory proposes that the ability to speak is encoded in human genes and passed down genetically, potentially originating from divine creation.

Outlines

00:00

📝 Introduction to the Course and Syllabus Overview

The speaker begins with a traditional Islamic greeting and introduces the 'Introduction to Linguistics' course for the semester. They mention that students will explore topics such as the origin of language, differences between human and animal language, and phonetics. The speaker also refers to the course syllabus (RPS) uploaded for students to review in detail. If students have any questions, they are encouraged to discuss them in class or via the online chat room.

05:04

🌍 Theories on the First Language and Human Speech

This paragraph focuses on the origin of human language, starting with theories such as Charles Darwin’s idea that music preceded speech. The speaker explains that early humans used musical sounds like tapping or blowing to attract attention before developing speech. While the true origins of language remain unknown, various theories have emerged, including religious explanations like the 'Divine Source Theory,' which asserts that God gave language to humans. Some Islamic traditions suggest that Arabic was the first language spoken by humans and will be used in paradise. Similarly, religious texts like the Bible and Hindu scriptures provide their own interpretations of the first language.

10:07

🔬 Language Development Experiments and Sound Theories

The speaker discusses historical experiments, such as one conducted by an Egyptian pharaoh to discover the first spoken language by raising a child in isolation. The child’s first word was 'bekos,' meaning 'bread' in ancient Egyptian, leading to the conclusion that Egyptian or Arabic might have been the first language. Additionally, the 'Natural Sound Source Theory' is explored, which suggests that words originated from imitating natural sounds. However, this theory has limitations as not all objects produce sounds. The 'Social Interaction Source Theory' is also mentioned, positing that language arose from interactions like calling to one another.

🧠 Physical and Cognitive Evolution's Role in Language Development

The speaker delves into the 'Physical Adaptation Source Theory,' which explains how human physical evolution, such as the development of vocal cords and teeth arrangement, enabled speech. Another theory, 'Tool Making Source,' argues that language emerged alongside the creation of tools. As humans invented objects, they needed names for them, leading to language development. Examples include modern terms like 'WhatsApp' or 'Zoom.' Finally, the 'Genetic Source Theory' suggests that language ability is genetically inherited from parents or designed by God, allowing humans to speak.

Keywords

💡Linguistics

Linguistics is the scientific study of language, encompassing its structure, function, and meaning. In the video, the speaker introduces linguistics as the main subject of the course, focusing on how humans develop and use language. The course will cover various aspects of linguistics, such as the origin of language and how humans differ from animals in their communication.

💡The Origin of Language

This concept refers to theories about how human language first developed. The speaker highlights that the origin of language is a topic of debate and introduces several theories, such as Charles Darwin's belief that humans developed musical abilities before speech. The class will explore these theories, which range from divine intervention to natural evolution.

💡Charles Darwin

Charles Darwin is mentioned as a key figure in one theory about the origin of language. He suggested that before humans could speak, they first developed musical skills to communicate with others. This theory forms part of the broader discussion on how language might have evolved from non-verbal communication.

💡Divine Source Theory

This theory proposes that language was a gift from a divine being. The speaker references religious texts, including the Quran and the Bible, which suggest that God taught humans the names of things. This theory aligns with the belief that language was divinely created and passed down to humans, but the specific language is still a matter of debate.

💡Natural Sound Source

This theory claims that language originated from humans imitating sounds in nature. For example, the sound 'krik-krik' from a cricket could have inspired the word 'cricket.' The speaker mentions that while this theory may explain the origins of some words, it cannot account for all language, as not all objects or concepts produce sounds.

💡Social Interaction Source

The Social Interaction Source theory posits that language developed out of the need for cooperation and interaction. For instance, people may have started calling out to one another with words like 'hey' or greetings to attract attention. The speaker refers to this theory when discussing how language evolved through human social behaviors.

💡Physical Adaptation Source

This theory suggests that the human ability to speak developed due to physical changes over time, such as the development of vocal cords and other speech-related anatomy. The speaker discusses how humans’ physical evolution, such as the structure of their teeth and vocal box, made it possible for them to produce sounds and eventually speak.

💡Tool-making Source

According to the Tool-making Source theory, language emerged alongside the creation of tools. As humans created new objects, they needed words to describe them, leading to the expansion of language. The speaker illustrates this with examples such as 'handphone' and 'WhatsApp,' showing how technological advancements lead to the creation of new vocabulary.

💡Second Language Acquisition

Second language acquisition refers to the process of learning a language that is not one's native language. The speaker mentions that this will be covered later in the course, emphasizing how people acquire additional languages after learning their first. This concept is key to understanding linguistic development beyond one’s mother tongue.

💡Theories of Language Development

Throughout the video, several theories of language development are introduced, including divine source, natural sound source, social interaction source, physical adaptation, and tool-making source. Each theory offers a different explanation for how humans came to develop language. The speaker explains that students will explore these theories in the course to understand the complex evolution of human language.

Highlights

Introduction to the course 'Introduction to Linguistics' for the semester.

The first topic covered in the course is 'The Origin of Language'.

Discussion on the difference between animal communication and human language.

Study of sound systems in language, including phonetics and phonology.

The course will conclude with 'Second Language Acquisition' as the final topic.

Definition of Linguistics as the scientific study of language, according to John L.

Charles Darwin's theory that music developed before language as a form of early human communication.

Theories on the origin of the first spoken language remain speculative due to the lack of concrete evidence.

Discussion on the 'Divine Source' theory, suggesting that language was a gift from God to humans.

Comparison of religious perspectives on the first spoken language, including Arabic, Hebrew, and Hindu languages.

Historical experiment by an Egyptian Pharaoh to discover the first language, resulting in a child's utterance of the word 'bekos' meaning bread.

The 'Natural Sound Source' theory posits that language developed through the imitation of natural sounds.

The 'Social Interaction Source' theory suggests that language emerged from human interactions and calls.

The 'Physical Adaptation Source' theory focuses on the physical evolution of humans that enabled speech.

The 'Tool-Making Source' theory proposes that language developed alongside the creation of tools and technology.

Transcripts

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim asalamualaikum

warahmatullahi wabarakatuh baik pada

kesempatan Hari ini saya akan

menjelaskan tentang eh perkenalan dari

mata kuliah introduction linguistic

selama S semester ini saya akan mengajar

anda tentang mata kuliah introduction to

linguistic Apa yang akan kita pelajari

dari mata kuliah ini Bisa Anda lihat

Nanti secara lebih detail ya di RPS yang

sudah

saya upload linknya

dilink ya seperti itu Jadi selama sat

semester ini kita mau belajar apa sih

kurang lebih seperti

ini untuk pertemuan pertama kita akan

mbahas tentang the origin of language

jadi asalusul bahasa itu seperti apa

kedua perbedaan antara bahasa hewan dan

manusia itu seperti apa selanjutnya

bunyi dalam bahasa seperti apa sampai

pertemuan

ke-14 kita akan mempelajari tentang

second language accisation ya seperti

itu ini secara lebih detail tentang

tujuan dan segala macamnya Anda bisa

nanti eh baca di sini Jika ada yang

tidak dipahami kita nanti ee diskusikan

langsung ketika ketemu di kelas atau

nanti di chat room ya

dilink-nya seperti itu

untuk yang sekarang saya akan

menjelaskan

tentang materi

Ya materi yang pertama yaitu

tentang Apa itu sih linguistik jadi yang

akan dipelajari dengan lingistik itu

seperti apa sebelumnya kita harusetahui

dulu tentang pengertian Dar lingk

menurut ahli

ya

[Musik]

bahwa

tentang bahasa manusia seperti apa

bunyinya cara pengucapannya Seperti apa

selanjutnya menurut John l lingtic Asic

stud

of ilmu yang ilmiah yang mempelajari

tentang

eh bahasa secara umumnya seperti itu ya

itu pengertian dari linguistik nah di

pertemuan yang pertama Sekarang kita

akan mahas tentang asalusul bahasa itu

di origin of

language menurut si Charles Darwin dia

mengemukakan bahwa manusia itu sebelum

bisa ngomong Sebenarnya dia

mengembangkan musik kemampuan musik

terlebih dahulu sebelum mengucapkan

sesuatu jadi untuk mengungkapkan sesuatu

dengan misalkan

menepuk-nepuk barang atau meja atau

apalah seperti itu ya meniupkan sesuatu

untuk menarik

ee individu yang lain untuk supaya

memperhatikan kita gitu sebelum ngomong

itu seperti itu jadi kemampuan musik

yang dikembangkannya itu katanya itu

teori si Charles Darwin ya Nah

berdasarkan teori-teori tersebut

sebenarnya eh kita tidak tahu sih

sebenarnya

yang yang astinya Seperti apa gitu

berasal dari mana bahasa itu bahasa apa

yang pertama ee diucapkan manusia hingga

berkembang sampai

sekarang kejadiannya seperti apa secara

pasti tidak ada sumber yang mengatakan

itu gitu dengan hal tersebut muncullah

berbagai macam teori dan spekulasi

ya Yang tapi dapat dipastikan sebelum

berkembangnya bahasa tulis

bahasa lisan dulu yang terlebih dahulu

ya Oleh karena itu karena menebak-nebak

bahasa yang pertama kali muncul itu

bahasa apa Terus bagaimana kita

menciptakan sebuah kata atau sebuah

bahasa muncullah berbagai macam teori ya

yang dipelajari dalam Bab pertama ini

yaitu tentang teori Def source yang

selanjutnya

naturalal sour physical adaptation tool

making sama genetic source ya kita bahas

satu-satu ya define source theoryi F itu

yang intinya menjelaskan bahwa bahasa

itu berasal dari Tuhan diturunkan

langsung oleh Tuhan gitu dari berbagai

macam kitab suci agama masing-masing

disebutkan seperti dalam kitab suci

al-qur'an disebutkan bahwa Allah me

ngajarkan nama-nama benda ke Adam cuman

bahasanya bahasa apa gu seperti itu ada

yang mengatakan bahasa Arab atau bahasa

itu tidak diketahui atau

apaamab ya seperti itu yang jelas bahwa

ada sebuah hadis dari Abdullah bin Amar

bin

as bahwa sesungnya allahah Arab darah

dan mah berdasarkan hadis ini bahwa

orang Islam mungkin mempercayai bahwa

bahasa yang pertama itu bahasa Arab dan

bahasa yang digunakan nanti di surga

kelak bahasa Arab katanya seperti itu

walau alam b bisawab Ya hanya Allah yang

tahu yang selanjutnya misalkan dalam

ini kitab Injil disebutkan

bahwa ini yang menyebutkan bahwa ini nih

ke Adam itu

ee

mengajarkan sesuatu Allah itu asal

usulnya memberikan nama-nama benda gitu

nah tapi belum diketahui bahasanya

bahasa Ibrani atau apa Nah seperti itu

masih misteri mungkinlah Begitu pun di

kitab Hindu nah orang Mungkin orang yang

beragama Hindu mengatakan ya bahasa

mereka yang di pertama diucapkan oleh

manusia nah tiap kitab suci punya versi

masing-masing ya tergantung pada

kepercayaannya masing-masing seperti itu

ya Oleh karena itu berdasarkan teori

tersebut muncullah sebuah kepenasaran

manusia yaitu dengan membuat sebuah

eksperimen yang terjadi pada ee

2500 tahun

ya sebelum masehi G 1 abad yang

lalu dilakukan di

ee ini di Mesir bahwa dia itu seorang

raja Firaun pada waktu itu ingin

mengetahui bahasa yang pertama diucapkan

manusia itu sebenarnya apa dia melakukan

penelitian dengan mengambil eh seorang

anak yang baru

lahir tidak terus anak tersebut diambil

tidak diajak ngomong sama sekali gitu ya

dengan harapan ketika tidak diajak

ngomong sama sekali anak tersebut akan

mengucapkan bahasa yang mungkin dikasih

oleh Tuhan sama manusia nah ternyata

ketika anak tersebut sudah siap untuk

berbicara yaitu umur sekitar 2 tahunan

anak tersebut mulai mengucapkan Ini kata

bekos ya yang artinya

ee roti ya dalam bahasa Mesir bahasa

Turki itu artinya roti Oh si raja

tersebut kemudian menyimpulkan bahwa

benar bahasa yang digunakan oleh pertama

kali oleh manusia itu bahasa Mesir atau

bahasa arabbl lah kurang lebih seperti

itu itu walau alam ya seperti itu teori

yang pertama yang menjelaskan tentang

bahasa apa yang pertama kali diucapkan

oleh manusia yang lanjunnya teori

tentang kebahasaan ini yaitu tentang ee

bagaimana kita mengucapkan sebuah kata

atau menciptakan sebuah bahasa muncullah

sebuah teori tentang natural sound

source yaitu Bahwa mengungkapkan bahwa

ee bahasa itu muncul dari sebuah

peniruan kata-kata ya peniruan kata-kata

kita tentang suara-suara alam misalkan

Kalau jangkrik asal katanya dari kata

krik-krik ketika orang mendengar kata

krik-krik yang selanjutnya misalkan

takeah maka muncullah nama benda toke

tapi Teori ini punya kekurangan dan

kelebihan mungkin sebagian benar ada

benda yang dinamakan berdasarkan

bunyinya tapi sebagian juga tidak semua

benda mengeluarkan bunyi sehingga Teori

ini ada kekurangannya ya selanjutnya

teori social Interaction source

mengatakan bahwa bahasa atau kata itu

muncul dengan adanya interaksi ketika

kita mau memanggil seseorang hei hei

maka ketika ketemu orang muncullah kata

Hei atau hell atau apa kabar atau apa ya

seperti itu yang selanjutnya physical

adaptation source mengatakan bahwa

bahasa itu muncul ketika sebenarnya

terjadi adaptasi fisik ya kita ketahui

bahwa ada semacam teori bahwa manusia

itu berkembang fisiknya dari yang tidak

mengusap misalkan gorila atauans atau

apaya mengucapkan

H tapi ketika sudah jadi manusia dia

punya fisik tertentu yang memungkinkan

untuk berbicara ya punya e gigi yang

menyusun itu punya kotak suara atau apa

Nah seperti itu itu namanya physical

adaptation ya yang selanjutnya to making

source ya toing source itu intinya

bahwa e bahasa itu tercipta ketika ee

tercipta sebuah benda tools tools atau

alat ya Sehingga otak kita berpikir ini

alat ini namanya apa ya dengan

terciptanya benda dengan terciptanya

sesuatu maka jadilah sebuah nama atau

bahasa gitu misalkan dulu Enggak ada

namanya handphone adanya hanya telepon

nah dulu Enggak ada namanya ee eh

WhatsApp tapi sekarang ada istilah lagi

ngapain lagi WhatsApp lagi Zoom meeting

dulu Enggak ada istilahnya seperti itu

lagi tiktokan atau YouTubean enggak ada

nah dengan terciptanya benda-benda maka

muncullah bahasa yang selanjutnya bahasa

itu muncul karena genetic source Jadi

sebenarnya katanya bahasa itu ya

diturunkan berdasarkan genetik dari

orang tuanya gitu seperti itu ya atau

genetik yang sudah tercipta dari Tuhan

seperti itu baik mungkin Sekian dari

saya tentang perkenalan Sekilas Tentang

apa itu yang akan dipelajari dari mata

kuliah introduction linguistic

asalamualaikum warahmatullahi

wabarakatuh