The Origin of Language Questionnaire.

Answer the following questions, making use of the paper published at:

http://www.trueorigin.org/language01.asp#21

1. How might dietary changes have stimulated language origin?

2. Why is it claimed that genus Homo (appeared some 2 million years ago) was the first hominid in using language as it is?

3. Why isn’t the previous demonstrable?

4. What can we theorise upon the fact that Adam was able to understand God from the first day, and also, was able to name all the species?

5. Extrapolating from the argument that God created man in His own image, then what was the main characteristic that God gave to the man.

6. According to monoteist beliefs, what is the origin of the multiplicity of languages?

7. What is the coincidence between the biblical and evolutionist theories about the creation of language and language diversity?

8. What does Chomsky say in regard to the origin of language?

9. Infering from the article, explain what a ‘proto-language’ is.

10. Explain the following statement made by Aitchinson:

‘The relationship between brain size and language is unclear. Possibly, increased social interaction combined with tactical deception gave the brain an initial impetus. Better nourishment due to meat-eating may also have played a part. Then brain size and language possibly increased together.’

11. Explain the process involved in pronouncing a word that has been read and contrast it with the process of pronouncing a word that has been heard.

12. What might have evolution caused in our anatomy - apart from brain enlargement - that we are able to use language orally?

13. Why is it that, even though birds can also produce fluent, complex sounds, we cannot say that they have developed language?

14. How many animals anatomically equipped for speech are there in the world?

15. What is ‘universal-grammar’, who did invent it, what does it refer to?

16. Name 3 fundamental differences between animals and humans in terms of language development and use.