The Future Prediction of Human Language

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Introduction

Linguistics classifies language as a mechanism that permits free and creative expression of feelings into signs, and the opposite interpretation of such signs back into feelings (Christiansen & Kirby, 2005). According to Becker, 2005, “human language is seen as the last key evolution in the development of life on earth (2)”. His idea is that biological changes in humans are as a result of forces of evolution implying that human language originated from certain sources, and that its characteristics derived from human genes. Language by itself is a distinction amongst the various animal communication systems as it permits creation of infinite symbols through the innovative blending of finite vocabulary, using recursions (Caplan et al., 1984). In this regard, language is similar to the genetic code, which utilises a limited set of DNA bases to create numerous proteins.

Even though linguistics and psychologists are united in the notion that language is a natural system, there is a contradiction of way language originated and evolved. The leading theories are: grand change theory, gradual emergence theory, neo-Darwinian theory, and gene interaction theory (Aaron & Joshi, 2006). This paper will analyse two theories that have a biological perspective of the way language has evolved. The two theories that will be highlighted are neo-Darwinian and the gradual change with a further emphasis on the predictions that the theories make about the future.

Grand Change Theory

Chomsky as qtd., by Aaron & Joshi, proposed that language was inborn, a biological requisite, species specific, and had implications for genetic determination. This theory came after Chomsky defined universal grammar as a system of rules and principles that a...

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Descendants of humans who currently speak the current language which consists of the four levels might be using a human language that has extra levels due to natural selection processes. The gradual change in human language over time may be accompanied by adaptations which ultimately result in the old system of human language dying out. Therefore the theory stipulates that at one instance there will be no possibility of two forms of human language existing.

Conclusion

The two theories of language evolution prove that language in the future will not be the same as it is currently. Despite one advocating for gradual change and the other sudden, both of them claim that the evolution is random. Furthermore, the theories have proven that language evolution corresponds to human evolution where new language will ultimately be formed at the end of the process.

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