Language is a more developed level of communication. The language enables people to convey more than just feelings. Scientist David Pilbeam therefore believes that the beginning of a language has led to greater trust, understanding and greater collaboration between individuals.
The true value of the language
If we want to find out whether the first human (hominid) used a language, it is important to consider the true value of the language. We can say that the language:
- is an enormous stimulus for brain development;
- enables the transmission of subtle concepts. Concepts beyond the scope of communication through grunts and gestures.
Note
Communicating through grunts and gestures is surprisingly subtle in itself. By grunting and gesturing, animals (such as the chimpanzee) can communicate with each other at a remarkably high level. In fact, the scientist David Pilbeam believes that it was the beginning of a language and that it has led to greater trust, understanding and collaboration between individuals. He argued that the development of the language allowed for the first time primates to develop a behavioral pattern that rewarded and reinforced lack of aggressiveness. Hence, domination was no longer a reward in itself.
Dissent with other scientists
Other scientists disagree with David Pilbeam’s statement. They assume that David’s view assumes that in that case the language would have been developed very early, possibly as early as the time of the Australopithecinae. While David’s detractors admit that language can be a useful brake on aggressive behavior (you swear or complain instead of hitting someone on the head with a club), they still feel that the language is not necessary for stimulating non-aggressive behavior.
Long before language, non-aggressive behavior, according to David’s detractors, was encouraged by:
- pairing took place;
- family formation occurred;
- there was a long bond between mother and child;
- the primates started to share food.
In addition, David’s detractors insist that the Australopithecinae had too small brains to be able to speak. They claim that the hominids had a vocabulary of sounds for:
- fright;
- anger;
- pain;
- displeasure,
but that’s the language beyond the ability of the hominids has been until the arrival of Homo erectus (just over 1 million years ago).
Origin of the language
It is not certain whether it was necessary for the first hominids to speak. While we may assume that the Australopithecus knew more than a chimpanzee and should therefore have a greater need for communication, it is difficult to say how much more that need was. As with everything else, the origin of language has been gradual. It started out slowly and it is impossible to distinguish between a remarkably telling and informative set of sounds and a slice of real language. We do not know how and when language originated and we will never know.
Language unnecessary for hunting
Because we know so little about the need for language and – if there was any language at all – how and when it originated, it seems better to settle the matter with the remark of scientist Schaller that language is not necessary for hunting. Carnivores also do not communicate while hunting. Additionally, some carnivores hunt at night, using stealth methods that require silence and make visual communication difficult. Hyena dogs, for example, may hunt during the day, but also in silence. Except the occasional bark to keep the crowd together. No other signals are needed for the simple reason that the hunt is happening before all eyes.