Introduction:
I hold a distinct perspective on the origins of language, grounded in the premise of natural sounds. The human auditory system is operational even before birth, around seven months gestation. This early auditory processing capability evolves into the capacity to recognize environmental sounds, enabling humans to establish connections between sounds and their sources. The hypothesis suggests that primitive words originated from imitations of the natural sounds early humans encountered, an idea Jespersen (1922) termed the “bow-wow” theory.
The “Bow-Wow” Theory:
According to this theory, early humans imitated the sounds of various objects in their environment, using these imitations to refer to the objects even when absent. The universality of words in modern languages with pronunciations resembling natural sounds supports this concept. English examples include words like cuckoo, splash, bang, boom, rattle, buzz, hush, screech, and bow-wow.
Onomatopoeia in Language:
Words that mimic the sounds they describe, known as onomatopoeia, are evident in many languages. However, it is challenging to conceive how non-sound-producing entities (e.g., “low branch”) or abstract concepts (e.g., “truth”) could be represented solely through echoes of natural sounds. This theory raises skepticism about the assumption that language merely serves as a set of names for things.
The “Pooh-Pooh” Theory:
Another of Jespersen’s theories, the “pooh-pooh” theory, suggests that speech originated from instinctive sounds made during emotional experiences such as pain, anger, and joy. Expressions like “Ouch!” may have originated from these emotional cries. However, interjections like “Ouch!” are typically produced with inhales, contrary to normal speech that occurs during exhalation. This raises questions about whether sounds from emotional reactions, with their distinct inhalation patterns, are plausible sources for spoken language.
Conclusion
Examining these theories sheds light on the complex and multifaceted nature of language origin. While imitating natural sounds and emotional cries may have played roles in language development, a comprehensive understanding requires consideration of various factors influencing linguistic evolution.
