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Times article on the origin of human languages
Thread poster: Fuad Yahya
Fuad Yahya
Fuad Yahya  Identity Verified
Arabic
+ ...
Apr 15, 2011

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/15/science/15language.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha2
 
veratek
veratek
Brazil
Local time: 21:32
French to English
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always a great read Apr 15, 2011

It's always interesting to read about how language evolved, even in rather superficial newspaper articles.

The topic that fascinates me at the moment about language are accents and the human ability to speak what is considered a "native" version of whatever language coupled by the difficulty of doing this for all other languages.

It's completely mind-bloggling and wonderful at the same time.


[Edited at 2011-04-15 20:14 GMT]
 
Tomás Cano Binder, BA, CT
Tomás Cano Binder, BA, CT  Identity Verified
Spain
Local time: 02:32
Member (2005)
English to Spanish
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The language is the species Apr 15, 2011

I think it is quite obvious that the dawn of the human species can be marked not by the ability to walk on two legs or by the use of tools (apes can do both), but by the appearance of an elaborate language.

Language is man, man is language. Alter any of the two, and the other side will be altered too. That's why people who play with words and deprive them of their meaning are particularly dangerous for mankind, and it is also why we translators must be careful using words and must m... See more
I think it is quite obvious that the dawn of the human species can be marked not by the ability to walk on two legs or by the use of tools (apes can do both), but by the appearance of an elaborate language.

Language is man, man is language. Alter any of the two, and the other side will be altered too. That's why people who play with words and deprive them of their meaning are particularly dangerous for mankind, and it is also why we translators must be careful using words and must make sure that we are not playing with words (unless the author is, of course, in which case it is not our fault). ▲ Collapse
 


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Times article on the origin of human languages






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