BMC Biol July 2017 PMID 28738867

Q&A: What is human language, when did it evolve and why should we care?

Mark Pagel

Mentions

47
Peak: 2 in Jul 2021
across 5 sources since Nov 2019

Extended reach

73,816
potential audience

Total likes

942

Video views

36,944

Mentions per month

Nov 2019 – Sep 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News18 articles
  • X / Twitter17 posts
  • Facebook5 posts
  • Blogs4 articles
  • YouTube3 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall tone reflects curiosity and deeper engagement, exemplified by references to studies like Yip (2006) on phonology, discussions about pidgins and proto-languages, and mentions of groundbreaking ideas such as language shaping the mind, which illustrate a thoughtful exploration of the article's themes. The use of technical terms and questions about origins highlight a genuine interest in understanding language's evolution and relevance.

AgreementNeither agree nor disagree

Discussions show mixed opinions, with some supporting the importance of language evolution but no strong disagreement or opposition.

InterestHigh interest

Many posts are highly interested, referencing various studies, historical language origins, and innovative ideas about language evolution.

EngagementModerate engagement

Several contributors engage deeply, citing specific research papers, historical language details, and philosophical questions, indicating genuine interest.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions suggest that the topic has moderate significance, especially for those interested in linguistics, evolution, and human history, but not universally transformative.

Abstract in brief

  • Human language is unique among animal communication and possibly did not exist in Neanderthals or Great Apes, with human language being distinct from other forms of animal signals.
  • The evolution of language shares similarities with biological evolution, making it a useful tool for understanding human history and cultural development.
  • Some experts argue that language has been more influential in recent human evolution (about the last 200,000 years) than our genes have been.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Melchior
@ateschgah · X

جستجو دراین‌باره نشون میده نه‌تنها زبان‌شناس‌ها، بلکه متخصصین سایر حوزه‌ها (روانشناسی، زیستِ تکاملی، نوروساینس و…) هم روی «منحصربه‌فرد بودنِ زبان انسان» اجماع دارن. شاید بشه پا رو فراتر گذاشت و گفت: «زبان، ویژگی متمایزکننده‌ی ما هوموساپینس‌ها است.» ۳/ https://t.co/FeaJUh1Kmj https://t.co/dzXIqFEgCF

Mar 25, 2024 · 117 likes · 21,461 followers View post →
João
@CoelhoPre · X

Esse chimp curtia uma laranja... Será? "The trained chimpanzee Nim Chimpsky’s longest recorded ‘utterance’, when translated from sign language, was ‘give orange me give eat orange me eat orange give me eat orange give me you’ " https://t.co/YMSv0ggsTq

Jan 18, 2020 · 2 likes · 2,622 followers View post →
Asano
@asan38712363 · X

@0Newlife3 @gregorycgravett @thevivafrei @GadSaad @joerogan Good video https://t.co/bIdP0jERw1

May 13, 2024 · 2 likes · 64 followers View post →
Rulon James Downard
@RJDownard · X

https://t.co/RSkG8g0J8P got the source refs in now for Sunday's Evo Hour (done while on vacation). Enjoy those early tetrapods and delve into language evolution.

Jul 28, 2023 · 1 like · 3,566 followers View post →
GrumpyViking
@3Vikings1 · X

@Mooseongare @drizzle_pee Here is a paper from 2017 https://t.co/t6p0EAx1yQ haven’t read it but should we try. I’m at work so probably can’t respond instantly.

Sep 8, 2022 · 1 like · 421 followers View post →
Jacqualine
@jacqualinDXB · X

@Tha_jayiii It’s pidgin, Mr Jayii. Every pidgin word is aggregated (borrowed, if you like) from Nigerian indigenous languages. And Yoruba, Isoko, jukun or Igbo languages were not invented. For further reading

Apr 14, 2025 · 3,025 followers View post →

All mentions

Evolution of Human Language and Its Significance

Human language is unique among animal communication and may not have existed in Neanderthals or Great Apes. Its evolution helps us understand human history, cultural development, and its impact on recent human evolution.

simpelnya · May 19, 2025 38 views
Mil Kio
@KiolMil3050 · X

Yip, M. (2006). The search for phonology in other species. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 10(10), 442–446. Gentner, T. Q., Fenn, K. M., Margoliash, D., & Nusbaum, H. C. (2006). Recursive syntactic pattern learning by songbirds. Nature, 440(7088), 1204–1207 https://t.co/KkleWyT4kP

Sep 26, 2025 · 604 followers View post →
Jacqualine
@jacqualinDXB · X

@Tha_jayiii It’s pidgin, Mr Jayii. Every pidgin word is aggregated (borrowed, if you like) from Nigerian indigenous languages. And Yoruba, Isoko, jukun or Igbo languages were not invented. For further reading

Apr 14, 2025 · 3,025 followers View post →
Rev Ranger
@RevRanger · X

@volkvulture1 @Modernmarxist05 “Chat GPT” is when you search and read from sources online apparently. Cope harder. https://t.co/kJkKmmN7pV.

Dec 10, 2024 · 156 followers View post →
Asano
@asan38712363 · X

@0Newlife3 @gregorycgravett @thevivafrei @GadSaad @joerogan Good video https://t.co/bIdP0jERw1

May 13, 2024 · 2 likes · 64 followers View post →
Melchior
@ateschgah · X

جستجو دراین‌باره نشون میده نه‌تنها زبان‌شناس‌ها، بلکه متخصصین سایر حوزه‌ها (روانشناسی، زیستِ تکاملی، نوروساینس و…) هم روی «منحصربه‌فرد بودنِ زبان انسان» اجماع دارن. شاید بشه پا رو فراتر گذاشت و گفت: «زبان، ویژگی متمایزکننده‌ی ما هوموساپینس‌ها است.» ۳/ https://t.co/FeaJUh1Kmj https://t.co/dzXIqFEgCF

Mar 25, 2024 · 117 likes · 21,461 followers View post →
Aa
@lastorchard · X

https://t.co/Dx6kmqJP4A.

Mar 3, 2024 · 12 followers View post →
Rulon James Downard
@RJDownard · X

https://t.co/RSkG8g0J8P got the source refs in now for Sunday's Evo Hour (done while on vacation). Enjoy those early tetrapods and delve into language evolution.

Jul 28, 2023 · 1 like · 3,566 followers View post →
scienceFTW
@scienceFTW4 · X

@downs1nthehouse @AiG https://t.co/9ebbc6bibS

May 16, 2023 · 132 followers View post →
márcio barcelos
@marciobarcelos · X

@Heliocoptero O proto-indo-europeu é (são) já uma língua(s) complexa(s). Também fui ver e não me parece impossível haver já uma forma de linguagem oral há 200.000 anos (embora apareça em quase todo o lado que as línguas têm 50.000 anos) https://t.co/NNw4vI0GIL

Jan 17, 2023 · 1,570 followers View post →
GrumpyViking
@3Vikings1 · X

@Mooseongare @drizzle_pee Here is a paper from 2017 https://t.co/t6p0EAx1yQ haven’t read it but should we try. I’m at work so probably can’t respond instantly.

Sep 8, 2022 · 1 like · 421 followers View post →
Smokey
@SmokeyfI · X

@IFATORUN @Fir3Li0n @Rebelioushope @MbembaShadrach @MBkk79 @dawe_wade @Kimmylynn74 Also this https://t.co/Jx70OkjYEh

Jun 10, 2022 · 81 followers View post →
Darth.Mike
@Michael01948046 · X

@TheHistoryGuy07 @AiG https://t.co/6h709XcjoN

Jan 9, 2022 · 95 followers View post →
Idle Thoughts
@IdleThoughts10 · X

Hey, I made a new video. In thiz video I talk about how language shapes the mind. #videoessay #linguisticrelativity #sapirwhorfhypothesis https://t.co/WdYMeoXe9l https://t.co/5lHzzRVCXa

Jul 11, 2021 · 5 followers View post →
Geo
@geossecondlife · X

https://t.co/agnfVZoUaj

May 28, 2021 · 162 followers View post →
Rishi Rawat
@BetterRetail · X

Source: https://t.co/mPpRaPwBw6

Apr 16, 2021 · 2,898 followers View post →
João
@CoelhoPre · X

Esse chimp curtia uma laranja... Será? "The trained chimpanzee Nim Chimpsky’s longest recorded ‘utterance’, when translated from sign language, was ‘give orange me give eat orange me eat orange give me eat orange give me you’ " https://t.co/YMSv0ggsTq

Jan 18, 2020 · 2 likes · 2,622 followers View post →
POLITICKING POLITICAL SCIENCE
@POLITICKINGPOL2 · X

Q&A: What is human language, when did it evolve and why should we care? https://t.co/wmpG8MnkY1

Nov 21, 2019 View post →