How language began | Dan Everett | TEDxSanFrancisco

TEDx Talks
7 Nov 201717:46
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this insightful talk, the speaker argues that the greatest technological breakthrough in human history was the invention of language by Homo erectus around 2 million years ago. They discuss the cognitive and physical capabilities of Homo erectus, their tool-making and symbolic understanding, and how these attributes suggest they had the capacity for basic language. The speaker also explores the development of language from simple to complex grammars and emphasizes the profound impact of language on human evolution and culture.

Takeaways
  • 🗣️ The greatest technological breakthrough in human history is the invention of language, which originated 2 million years ago with Homo erectus.
  • 🧠 Homo erectus had a remarkable brain, with a size of about 950 cc, which is 75% of the size of an adult Homo sapiens male and comparable to many females, indicating intelligence is not solely about brain size.
  • 🏃‍♂️ Homo erectus was the first creature capable of persistent hunting, utilizing bipedalism to run long distances and outlast prey.
  • 🛠️ Homo erectus made various tools, including Olduwan, Acheulean, and Levallois tools, as well as wooden spears for throwing and thrusting, showcasing their advanced craftsmanship.
  • 🎨 Homo erectus demonstrated the ability to represent reality, as evidenced by the 250,000-year-old Venus of Berekhat Ram and engraved shells, suggesting an early form of art and symbolism.
  • 🛶 Homo erectus were seafarers, capable of traveling across oceans, as evidenced by their presence on islands such as Flores, which required boat-making and navigational skills.
  • 🌏 Homo erectus was a global traveler, spreading from their origins to places like Beijing, Indonesia, the Middle East, and Europe within a relatively short time span.
  • 🗣️ Despite having the vocal apparatus of a gorilla, Homo erectus likely had a basic form of language, as demonstrated by their complex social behaviors and the need for communication.
  • 🏘️ A Homo erectus village, 750,000 years old, shows evidence of hierarchical organization, indicating advanced planning, hierarchical thought, and structured living arrangements.
  • 🔠 Language is composed of symbols and grammar, with Homo erectus having the capability for both, suggesting they could have developed a simple form of language.
  • 🌐 Homo erectus' accomplishments and the archaeological evidence suggest they had the cognitive abilities necessary for the development of language, marking the beginning of the information age for humanity.
Q & A

  • What does the speaker consider the greatest technological breakthrough of human beings?

    -The speaker considers the invention of language as the greatest technological breakthrough of human beings, which was made by Homo erectus around 2 million years ago.

  • How long did Homo erectus live on Earth compared to Homo sapiens?

    -Homo erectus lived on Earth for nearly 2 million years, while Homo sapiens have been on Earth for around 200,000 to 500,000 years, which is less than a quarter of the time Homo erectus was present.

  • What is the estimated brain size of Homo erectus and how does it compare to Homo sapiens?

    -The estimated brain size of Homo erectus was about 950 cc, which is approximately 75% of the size of an adult Homo sapiens male and roughly in the range of many Homo sapiens females.

  • What physical ability of Homo erectus allowed them to hunt effectively?

    -Homo erectus' bipedal gait allowed them to run long distances and cool down more efficiently than quadrupeds, enabling them to chase down prey until it died of heat exhaustion or was beaten to death.

  • What types of tools did Homo erectus create and improve over time?

    -Homo erectus created Olduwan tools and improved them to Acheulean and Levallois tools. They also made spears for throwing and thrusting, as well as wooden tools.

  • What evidence suggests that Homo erectus had representations of reality?

    -Evidence such as the Venus of Berekhat Ram, a 250,000-year-old figure, and a shell with engravings found on the island of Java suggest that Homo erectus had representations of reality.

  • How do we know that Homo erectus was capable of seafaring and traveling to islands?

    -The presence of Homo erectus colonies on islands like Flores in Indonesia, Socotra, and possibly Crete, which are far from the mainland and surrounded by strong ocean currents, suggests that they were capable seafarers.

  • What is the significance of the Homo erectus village found in Gesher Benot Ya'aqov in modern-day Israel?

    -The village, which is about 750,000 years old, shows a hierarchical organization with distinct sections for processing animal and plant products and habitation, indicating that Homo erectus was capable of hierarchical thought, planning, and imagination.

  • What are the two essential components of language according to the speaker?

    -According to the speaker, the two essential components of language are symbols and grammar.

  • What types of grammars does the speaker identify in his research, and what are their characteristics?

    -The speaker identifies three types of grammars: G1, which is linear order; G2, which has hierarchy; and G3, which has both hierarchy and recursion.

  • Why does the speaker argue that the development of language does not necessarily require it to be a mutation, innate, or an instinct?

    -The speaker argues that language development can be explained through cultural evolution and learning, similar to other skills like chemistry, car building, or making burritos, without needing to be innate or a mutation.

  • How does the speaker suggest Homo erectus might have communicated with a limited vocal apparatus?

    -The speaker suggests that Homo erectus could have communicated with a limited vocal range similar to that of gorillas, and that even with a minimal number of sounds, they could have developed a functional language, as evidenced by modern languages with few phonemes.

Outlines
00:00
🗣️ The Invention of Language by Homo erectus

The speaker posits that the greatest technological breakthrough in human history was the invention of language by Homo erectus approximately 2 million years ago. Homo erectus, one of the most successful species, had a brain size of about 950cc, indicative of advanced cognitive abilities. This species was capable of creating and improving various tools, including stone and wooden spears, and had a significant impact on the development of human civilization. The speaker also highlights Homo erectus' ability to travel across oceans and land, suggesting their intelligence and adaptability. Despite having a vocal apparatus similar to that of a gorilla, the speaker argues that this would not have hindered the development of a basic language system.

05:02
🛠️ Homo erectus: Toolmakers and Seafarers

This paragraph delves into the toolmaking and seafaring capabilities of Homo erectus. They were able to create and transport Olduwan tools, which evolved into Acheulean and Levallois tools. The speaker mentions the discovery of 250,000-year-old Venus figurines and engraved shells, suggesting a form of artistic expression and symbolic thought. Homo erectus also demonstrated the ability to build boats and travel across treacherous ocean currents, as evidenced by their presence on islands like Flores and Socotra. The speaker also discusses the rapid spread of Homo erectus across various continents, indicating their advanced cognitive and planning abilities.

10:03
🌐 The Cognitive and Social Structure of Homo erectus

The speaker discusses the cognitive and social structures of Homo erectus, suggesting that they had the capacity for hierarchical thought, planning, and imagination. Evidence from an excavated village in Israel shows a structured organization, with different sections dedicated to processing animal and plant products. The speaker also explores the concept of symbols and grammar as the fundamental components of language. Homo erectus' ability to create and understand symbols, as well as their capacity for hierarchical reasoning, indicates that they could have developed a basic form of language, despite their limitations in vocalization.

15:04
🔠 The Development and Nature of Language

In this paragraph, the speaker examines the nature of language and its development. They refute the idea that language is innate or an instinct, instead suggesting that it is a cultural invention that has evolved over time. The speaker identifies three types of grammars—G1, G2, and G3—ranging from simple linear order to complex hierarchical and recursive structures. They argue that even the simplest G1 grammar, found in some modern languages, is sufficient for full human language. The speaker concludes by emphasizing the transformative power of language, which began with Homo erectus and has shaped human civilization for 60,000 generations.

🎤 The Legacy of Homo erectus and the Power of Language

The speaker concludes by celebrating the legacy of Homo erectus as the progenitors of language, which has been a driving force behind human progress and communication. They highlight the importance of language as a tool for expressing love, desire, and cooperation, and as a platform for sharing knowledge and ideas, such as TED talks. The speaker encourages the audience to appreciate and utilize the power of language, a gift from our ancestors, the 'talking gorillas,' and to recognize its role in shaping who we are as a species.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Homo erectus
Homo erectus is an extinct species of hominid that lived approximately 1.9 to 0.14 million years ago. Known for their advanced cognitive abilities and tool-making skills, they are considered a direct ancestor of modern humans. In the video, Homo erectus is highlighted as the species that invented language, which is considered the greatest technological breakthrough, setting the foundation for all subsequent human advancements.
💡Language
Language is a system of communication using words or symbols, either spoken or written. It is central to the video's theme, as it is presented as the first and most crucial technological discovery made by Homo erectus. The script discusses the significance of language in enabling complex thought, social interaction, and the development of culture, emphasizing its role in human evolution.
💡Information Age
The term 'Information Age' typically refers to a period in human history characterized by the shift from traditional industry to an economy based on information technology. In the context of the video, it is used metaphorically to describe the era when Homo erectus invented language, marking the beginning of human ability to communicate complex ideas and information.
💡Toolmaking
Toolmaking refers to the craft of creating tools, which is a significant milestone in human evolution. The video script mentions Homo erectus as the creators of various tools, such as the Olduwan, Acheulean, and Levallois tools, showcasing their intelligence and dexterity. These tools represent the technological advancements of their time and their ability to adapt and improve their environment.
💡Bipedalism
Bipedalism is the ability to walk upright on two legs. It is a key characteristic that distinguishes humans from other primates. In the video, bipedalism is highlighted as an advantage for Homo erectus, allowing them to run long distances efficiently and engage in persistent hunting, which contributed to their survival and success as a species.
💡Spear
A spear is a weapon consisting of a long shaft with a pointed head, used for thrusting or throwing. The script discusses the creation of different types of spears by Homo erectus, indicating their advanced hunting techniques. The development of throwing and thrusting spears demonstrates the planning and strategic thinking of Homo erectus.
💡Venus of Berekhat Ram
The Venus of Berekhat Ram is a prehistoric artifact, a stone that may have been shaped and dyed by Homo erectus, suggesting an early form of artistic expression. The video uses this artifact as an example of Homo erectus' ability to represent reality and their capacity for symbolic thought, which is a precursor to language and complex communication.
💡Seafaring
Seafaring refers to the use of the sea for travel or commerce. The video script describes Homo erectus as capable seafarers, having colonized islands such as Flores and Socotra, which required the construction of boats and navigation skills. This ability indicates their advanced cognitive skills, planning, and the capacity for exploration.
💡Symbols
Symbols are objects, characters, or images that represent something else, often abstract concepts. In the context of the video, symbols are crucial for the development of language. The script discusses how Homo erectus used tools and other objects that could have held symbolic meanings, laying the groundwork for the symbolic communication inherent in language.
💡Grammar
Grammar is the set of structural rules governing the composition of sentences, phrases, and words in a language. The video script delves into different types of grammars (G1, G2, G3) and argues that even a simple linear grammar (G1), combined with symbols, is sufficient for full human language. The development of grammar is presented as a critical component in the evolution of language.
💡Cultural Determination
Cultural determination refers to the idea that certain aspects of language, such as symbols and mathematical concepts, are shaped by the culture in which they are used. The video emphasizes that not all languages have the same symbols or concepts, such as mathematics, and that these are developed and understood within a cultural context, highlighting the diversity and adaptability of human language.
Highlights

The greatest technological breakthrough of human beings is language, invented 2 million years ago by Homo erectus.

Homo erectus lived on Earth for nearly 2 million years, much longer than Homo sapiens.

Homo erectus had the greatest brain the world had ever seen, with a size of about 950 cc.

Homo erectus was the first creature capable of persistent hunting, utilizing bipedal gait for long-distance running.

Homo erectus made and improved various tools, including Olduwan, Acheulean, and Levallois tools.

Homo erectus crafted wooden spears for both throwing and thrusting, indicating advanced toolmaking and hunting strategies.

Homo erectus created representations of reality, such as the Venus of Berekhat Ram, showing early artistic expression.

Evidence of Homo erectus engravings on a shell found on Java suggests symbolic communication.

Homo erectus were seafarers, traveling across oceans as evidenced by their presence on islands like Flores.

Homo erectus colonies on islands indicate planning and the ability to imagine for exploration.

Homo erectus had the capability for hierarchical thought, as seen in the organized structure of their villages.

Homo erectus had the cognitive abilities for symbols and grammar, essential components of language.

Homo erectus' communication and cooperation suggest the use of language, despite their limited vocal apparatus.

Language does not necessarily require an innate grammar; it can be learned and developed over time.

Homo erectus' cognitive and physical capabilities indicate they were capable of developing a basic form of language.

Language is a cultural invention that has evolved and changed over generations, starting with Homo erectus.

The development of language by Homo erectus enabled all subsequent human accomplishments and the information age.

The power of human language, initiated by Homo erectus, is a testament to our species' unique ability to communicate.

Transcripts

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Related Tags
Homo ErectusLanguage OriginsCognitive EvolutionHuman CommunicationArchaeological EvidenceTool MakingAncient TravelCultural SymbolsLinguistic TheoryHistorical Perspective