What was the first language?
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Noah Garcia
Works at Google, Lives in Mountain View. Holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University.
As a linguistics expert with a deep interest in the evolution of languages, I can tell you that the question of the "first language" is a complex one, as it depends on how we define "first." If we're talking about the first language in the sense of the first human language ever spoken, it's impossible to pinpoint a specific language or even a time frame with absolute certainty. Human languages have been evolving for tens of thousands of years, and the earliest forms of communication among our ancestors were likely non-verbal, involving gestures, facial expressions, and other forms of non-linguistic communication.
However, if we're looking at the first written language, we can make some educated guesses based on historical and archaeological evidence. The reference you provided lists several languages with their earliest known attestations, which are inscriptions or writings that provide evidence of a language's existence at a certain point in time.
The Middle Indo-Aryan (Prakrit) language, for example, is attested in the Edicts of Ashoka around 260 BCE. These edicts are a series of inscriptions made by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka, and they are among the earliest known examples of written language in South Asia.
The Tamil language, on the other hand, is attested in cave inscriptions and potsherds from around the 2nd century BCE in Tamil Nadu, a region in southern India. This suggests that Tamil has a very long history as a written language.
The Eroitic language, which is less well-known, is attested in graffiti found on the temple of Amun at Dukki Gel, near Kerman, dating back to the 2nd century BCE.
The Celtiberian language is attested in the Botorrita plaques from around 100 BCE. These are bronze plaques found in Spain that contain inscriptions in the Celtiberian language, which was spoken by the Celtiberian people who lived in the Iberian Peninsula.
It's important to note that while these languages have early attestations, it doesn't necessarily mean they were the "first" languages ever spoken. Languages evolve over time, and the process of writing down a language often comes after it has been spoken for a long time. The development of writing systems is a separate process from the development of language itself.
In conclusion, while we can identify some of the earliest written languages based on historical evidence, the question of the first language spoken by humans remains a mystery. The evolution of language is a fascinating subject that continues to be studied by linguists, archaeologists, and anthropologists around the world.
However, if we're looking at the first written language, we can make some educated guesses based on historical and archaeological evidence. The reference you provided lists several languages with their earliest known attestations, which are inscriptions or writings that provide evidence of a language's existence at a certain point in time.
The Middle Indo-Aryan (Prakrit) language, for example, is attested in the Edicts of Ashoka around 260 BCE. These edicts are a series of inscriptions made by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka, and they are among the earliest known examples of written language in South Asia.
The Tamil language, on the other hand, is attested in cave inscriptions and potsherds from around the 2nd century BCE in Tamil Nadu, a region in southern India. This suggests that Tamil has a very long history as a written language.
The Eroitic language, which is less well-known, is attested in graffiti found on the temple of Amun at Dukki Gel, near Kerman, dating back to the 2nd century BCE.
The Celtiberian language is attested in the Botorrita plaques from around 100 BCE. These are bronze plaques found in Spain that contain inscriptions in the Celtiberian language, which was spoken by the Celtiberian people who lived in the Iberian Peninsula.
It's important to note that while these languages have early attestations, it doesn't necessarily mean they were the "first" languages ever spoken. Languages evolve over time, and the process of writing down a language often comes after it has been spoken for a long time. The development of writing systems is a separate process from the development of language itself.
In conclusion, while we can identify some of the earliest written languages based on historical evidence, the question of the first language spoken by humans remains a mystery. The evolution of language is a fascinating subject that continues to be studied by linguists, archaeologists, and anthropologists around the world.
2024-05-11 01:13:27
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Studied at the University of Tokyo, Lives in Tokyo, Japan.
First millennium BCDate Language Attestation c. 260 BCMiddle Indo-Aryan (Prakrit)Edicts of Ashokac. 200 BCTamilcave inscriptions and potsherds in Tamil Nadu2nd century BCMeroiticgraffiti on the temple of Amun at Dukki Gel, near Kermac. 100 BCCeltiberianBotorrita plaques23 more rows
2023-06-22 14:05:37
Eleanor Harris
QuesHub.com delivers expert answers and knowledge to you.
First millennium BCDate Language Attestation c. 260 BCMiddle Indo-Aryan (Prakrit)Edicts of Ashokac. 200 BCTamilcave inscriptions and potsherds in Tamil Nadu2nd century BCMeroiticgraffiti on the temple of Amun at Dukki Gel, near Kermac. 100 BCCeltiberianBotorrita plaques23 more rows
