The evolution of language, a defining human characteristic, remains a captivating and complex subject of ongoing research. Scientists are exploring the origins and development of speech, considering various theories and challenging established timelines. With over 7,000 languages spoken worldwide, understanding how humans developed the capacity for speech is a central question.
One long-standing theory, the laryngeal descent theory (LDT), proposed that the emergence of anatomically modern Homo sapiens, approximately 200,000 to 300,000 years ago, was crucial for language development. The LDT suggests that a lower larynx in H. sapiens allowed for a wider range of speech sounds. However, this theory has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years.
Recent studies challenge the traditional timeline. Research featured in a February 2025 publication in PLOS Biology indicates that macaques possess the ability to form associations between pictures and spoken words, suggesting that the cognitive foundations for language may not be unique to humans. This pushes the potential origins of speech back further than previously thought. Furthermore, other perspectives emphasize the importance of neurological changes and increasing general intelligence in speech development.
The 15th International Conference on Languages, Literature, and Linguistics (ICLLL) will be held in Tokyo, Japan, from November 21-23, 2025. This conference will explore the dynamic relationship between tradition and innovation in these fields, bridging historical approaches with modern methods and tools.