Simon Prentis on Language: From Cultural Traps to Global Communication

British translator, interpreter, and author Simon Prentis, specializing in Japanese, discussed his book "Speak! How Language Made Us Human" (2021) and the evolution of language in an interview. Prentis has collaborated with artists like Paul McCartney, Yoko Ono, Frank Zappa, and Stanley Kubrick. His book offers a fresh perspective on the emergence of human language, emphasizing both its positive and negative aspects. Prentis explained his motivation for writing the book, stemming from his career in interpreting and translation. He initially aimed to explore cultural divides and exceptionalism but shifted focus to language itself. He noted the unique presence of language in humans compared to other species. His research led him to the idea that language originates from sounds, with each language having distinct sets of pronunciations. He compares the development of language to the transition from analog to digital. Japanese, for example, has only 20 phonemes (five vowels and 15 consonants), while English has 44. Prentis cited research showing a decrease in phonemes as humans migrated from Africa. Ancient African languages had around 140 phonemes, while languages in South American jungles have as few as 11. He argues that humans don't need a large number of phonemes to form words, suggesting that language began with arranging sounds to form words, with grammar developing later. While linguists like Chomsky believe that humans have an innate ability for grammar, Prentis proposes that the ability to arrange sounds came first. He faced skepticism from linguists but found support from scientists in other fields, such as evolutionist Richard Dawkins and zoologist Desmond Morris. Prentis acknowledges the duality of language, noting that it can both facilitate peace and contribute to conflict. He argues that language creates artificial problems like cultural, religious, and identity issues, but also provides the means for negotiation and conflict resolution. He suggests that the destructive power of modern weapons necessitates negotiation over global-scale warfare. He advocates for a global democratic forum where nations can make decisions together, particularly regarding issues like climate change. He does not support a single global culture, emphasizing the importance of diversity and mutual understanding. He believes that discussing problems, listening to each other, and voting on the best solutions within a global culture are essential. Addressing the examples of Ukraine and Gaza, Prentis argues that these are not wars in the classic sense but rather asymmetrical conflicts where a stronger power attacks a weaker one. He emphasizes the need to respect established rules and resolutions. He hopes his book will be accessible to a broad audience, sharing the important story of human language evolution.