THE ORIGINS OF HUMAN LANGUAGE

Islamic Perspective and Science

Abd. Ghofur

Most humans have developed an ability to communicate through oral language. By

age four to six or seven, most humans can comprehend, as well as express, written
thoughts. These unique abilities of communicating through a native language
clearly separate humans from all animals. The obvious question then arises, where
did we obtain this distinctive trait? Organic evolution has proven unable to
elucidate the origin of language and communication. Knowing how beneficial this
ability is to humans, one would wonder why this skill has not evolved in other
species. Materialistic science is insufficient at explaining not only how speech came
about, but also why we have so many different languages. Linguistic research,
combined with neurological studies, has determined that human speech is highly
dependent on a neuronal network located in specific sites within the brain. This
intricate arrangement of neurons, and the anatomical components necessary for
speech, cannot be reduced in such a way that one could produce a “transitional”
form of communication. The following paper examines the true origin of speech
and language,based on Islamic perpective and Science and the anatomical and
physiological requirements. The evidence conclusively implies that humans were
created with the unique ability to employ speech for communication

Keyword: Human language

A. Introduction

When the questioned about the affairs of human existence in this world could be based
on the opinions of religion agreemen that Adam was the first man created by God. It is said that
this is Gods creation, is the creation of both because they were given no priority compared with
other creations. The question that arises then is: whether the attributes that make human beings
different from and better than any other creature? Apparently physical strength is not the right
answer because a lot of very powerful beings in the face of their wild habitats. When people
favor the ability sensory organs, it is still a lot more other creatures in the world have the
sensory abilities far more perfect and very sensitive (ultra-sonic and infrared). So what
distinguishes it?
 The evolutionary theorists1 believe that the difference between humans and other
creatures is his ability to communicate with language. With these attributes can be separated
from human existence in the animal kingdom is a form of superiority and God-given. This
means that in the real world there is no non-human languages because the language is to
communicate with humans. In this context language is an attribute that is Distinctive behavioral
(distinguishing behavior) for men in this world.

So is it really language? Why there is a language among humans? How language is

used by them? What is the form of the language? May be many more rows of questions about
language. The Questions that are the starting point of human philosophical thought about the
existence of language in the world.

Many experts have given a definition of the language. Sapir (1921), for example, stated
that the language ... is a purely human and non-instinctive method of communicating ideas,
emotions and desires by means of voluntarily produced symbols. This means that the language
is only used by humans and become a tool for expressing opinions, feelings and desires
through symbols. Hall (1968) adds that the language is the institution whereby humans
communicate and interact with each other by means of habitually used oral-auditory arbitrary
symbols. Finally, among the human language is a tool to communicate, interact, express,
express their opinion / ideas, and to transmit culture to the next generation.

As what has been described above regarding the definition of language, the language is
something that can be understood in the communication process. This refers to the shape and
how language is used by humans. It is said that the language is used more oral than written
language. The first time people use sign language to communicate and eventually long evolved
into understandable language. So it is with written language. Primitive people have started
communicating with their writings can be found in the relics, such as inscriptions. And time is
very important in the development of human language as the development of human evolution
itself.

The anthropologists concluded that humans and language developed together. Human
beings are on earth approximately one million years old. The factors affecting the development

1
‘Speech is so essential to our concept of intelligence that its possession is virtually equated with being
human. Animals who talk are human, because what sets us apart from other animals is the “gift” of
speech’ (see Lieberman, P., Eve Spoke: Human Language and Human Evolution, W.W. Norton, New
York, p. 5, 1998)
of Homo sapien also affects language development. The upright body shape, eye shape, and
stereoscopic celebra cortex that does not exist in other animals have helped human evolution.
Alter brain development from a little man become real human beings. They have the ability to
find and use the tools and began to speak. In other words, language arises. Thus a thought on
the origins of language in the appearance of human first time. This is what gave birth to the
various theories about the origin of language.

There are various predictions and theories presented by experts on the origins of human
language, but no theory can really be proven until now. Among those theories are based on the
theory of religion (divine origin), and theories based on science (natural evolution hypothesis).

Referring to what has been described above, in this paper will be delivered a
presentation on the origins of language from two different perspective. From the religious point
of view, the writers tries to give a careful description of how the Islamic religion at the origin of
human language. In addition, will explain how the science to answer the same question.

B. The Origins of Language Theories

With regard to the origin of language, there is no theory can really be proven up to now.
But there are two kinds of theories that can be a reference to think about how to be the origin of
language. First, a theory rooted in the divine (beliefs in divine creation). Second, the theory
which refers to natural hypotheses (Hypotheses natural evolution). 2

According to the first theory, in general, the existence of the language at first because of
the intervention of God as the creator of the first human beings believed to be also the first
language. In other words, language and language skills in humans is given when humans were
created by God. The Jews believe that God created the world with the words instantly without
any effort. In other parts of the Jewish holy book says that the language of God is given to
human beings can control and conquer the world. In the Gospel is mentioned in Genesis 2:19

2
see Vajda (2008) di http://pandora.cii.wwu.edu/vajda/ling201/test1materials/origin_of_language.htm
that God created Adam as the first man with the ability to talk. 3 While the language of Hindu
culture is the grace of Goddess Saraswati wife of brahma the creator of the universe.

The second theory is more emphasis on the facts or the result of observation through
the process of human inkuiri. This theory is more often referred to hypotheses about the origin
of language which later evolved to become more serious basic sufficient knowledge base
representative as the location to see traces of human language. There are two increments that
describe these hypotheses, the traditional approach and modern approaches.

The Approach was much influenced by traditional assumptions derived from a simple
observation about the emergence of the first language. For example on Psammetichus4
research conducted in Egypt, the story of the first language according to the Chinese 5,
Japanese6, and even Babylon.

But in the late 18th century origins of language speculation moved. This is called organic
phase pioneered Johann Gottfried von Herder (1744-1803). He argued that it is not appropriate
language for divine grace. In his opinion: language born of the human impulse to try to think.
Language is the result of which instinctively jerk like a fetus in the birth process. This theory
together with the start of human evolution the appear of initiated by Immanuel Kant (1724-
1804) which was followed by Charles Darwin

According to Darwin (1809-1882) in the Descent of Man (1871) the quality of human
language with the language of animals differ in degree only. Human language as the man

3
Based on Gospel about the origin of human language was spoken in the story of babel Tower, as
quote.” Now the whole earth had one language and one speech’ (11:1). When Noah and his family
stepped off the ark, they spoke a single language that was passed on to their offspring. As the population
increased, it apparently remained localized in a single geographical region. Consequently, little or no
linguistic variation ensued. But when a generation defiantly rejected God’s instructions to scatter over the
planet, God miraculously intervened and initiated the major language groupings of the human race. This
action forced the population to proceed with God’s original intention to inhabit the Earth (cf. Isaiah 45:18)
by clustering according to shared languages”. see Harrub et al (2003) di
http://www.truorigin.org/language01.asp
4
In the 17th century BC king of Egypt, make inquiries about Psammetichus first language. According to
the king if he left the baby would grow up and speak the language of origin. To investigate these two
babies taken of in ordinary families, and handed over to a shepherds cared for. Shepherd is forbidden to
speak a word to the babies. After the baby was two years old, they were greeted with the shepherd
spontaneous with the word “Beco”;. Soon the shepherd had to face and told His Majesty that.
Psammetichus immediately investigate and consult with advisers. Becos they think means bread in
Phrygia; and this is the first language. This story was revealed to the people of Ancient Egypt, so they
egypt language is first language
5
A turtle sent by God brought the language (written) to the Chinese people
6
In Japan, the first language associated with their Lord, Amaterasu
himself comes from a primitive form., Perhaps the only emotional expressions. For example,
feelings of annoyance or disgust born to remove the air from the nose and mouth, heard as
“pooh” or “pish”. This theory is called the Pooh Pooh Theory. Then, Mark Muler introducing or
Dingdong Theory called nativistic theory. The theory slightly in line with Socrates proposed that
the birth of scientific language. According to this theory humans have a special instinct ability to
issue an expression of speech for each impression as a stimulus from the outside. The
impression received through the senses, like a blow on the bell to issue the appropriate
greeting. Approximately four hundred basic sounds that make up this first language. As the
primitives used to see a wolf, this view of the bell vibrating in him so instinctively spoken the
word “wolf”. Unfortunately, Muller on his own theory was rejected at the end.

Another theory is called Yap-he-ho theory. This theory concludes that the primitive
language used to work together. We are also experiencing similar work, for example, when we
lifted the wood together spontaneously out certain words, because the pressure impulse
muscle. Similarly, primitive people earlier times, when work was, the vocal cords vibrate so they
born on special remarks for each action. Utterances were then becomes a name for the job as
‘heave’ (lift), ‘rest’ (silence) and so on.

The theory is rather endure Bow-wow or Onomatopoetic7 Theory, also called Echoic
Theory. According to this theory the words the first time is a clone of thunder, rain, wind, rivers,
ocean waves and other

Another theory is called Gesture Theory, saying that precedes the speech signal.
Advocates of this theory shows the use of signals by various animals, and also signal system
used by primitive people. One example is the sign language used by Indian tribes in North
America when communicating with other tribes that do not the same language.

Finally, modern approach appears to show the facts that is more acceptable and logical
if people thought about the appearance of human language. According to modern thinking,
human beings are created with the physical equipment that is perfect to allow the speech (read:
language skills). But speech is not only a physical organ work. In the process of speech,
psychological factors were involved. West (2000) states “Speech, as language, is the result of
7
Mark Muller commented sarcastically that the theory applies only to the sound of crowing chickens and
ducks, but many language activities occur outside the corral. However the least percentage of these
words, we do not deny the existence of those words. In English there are words bable, Rattle, Hiss,
cuckoo, and so on. Vocabulary words in the Indonesian language as well have the words like that:
booming, vibrating, hiss, squeak, crowing and so on.
man’s ability to see phenomena symbolically and of the necessity to express his symbols ...”. In
other words, the speech as well as the language is the result of human ability to see the
symptoms as symbols, and his desire for the symbols.8

There is also a saying that the development of human language as well as language
development in infants develop into adults. Jespersen Otto (1860-1943) saw the similarities
between human language and the first baby. The first human language has almost no meaning,
like a song just as the sayings of the baby. Over time the speeches were developed to
perfection.

C. The Origin of Language in the view of Islam

Islam is a religion that covers issues creed, worship, and behavior. The language is the
instrument to articulate these three issues. So that the language is just the media or instrument,
he was not the goal. On this basis, then every prophet was sent to his people by using the
people’s language. As word of God in his word:

   

  
     

   
 
 
"We never sent a prohet, but with the language of his people, so that he can explain clearly to
them. So God astray whom He pleases, and gives guidance to whom He will. and He is God
Almighty, the Wise.” (QS. Ibrahim, 4)
The language issue has been confirmed of God in the Qur'an, that one proof of his
power is the existence of differences in language and skin color.

8
As an example we imagine a clear lake surrounded by shady trees which dimukimi birds and other
wildlife. For a person might endanger the lake earlier, could have sink, deadly. For others this may be a
source of pond life for her child. Maybe fish a lot. For the others may be the source of inspiration, can be
used as a place to rest, relax the muscles while waiting for fall inspiration. In these three inner turns out
there are different psychological impression. These impressions have spoken with the speech. In words
these impressions must be expressed by vocal symbols, until the unspoken words for example: the
danger, horror, in, cold, sink, float, flow, etc.; many fish, a good, broad, and etc; beautiful, cold, gentle,
calm, peaceful, cool, free, peaceful, a source of inspiration and so on
                   
                
             
               
             
“And among the signs of His power is the creation of the heavens and the earth and
diverse language and skin color. Surely, with that situation actually there are signs for
people who know” (Surat ar-Rum, 22).

To those adherents of Islam above verse is believed that the language be controlled by humans
on earth is a creation of God. So that could be concluded that the diversity of language is the
characteristic of the earth. However, it should be noted that the Qur’an and Sunnah which are
the two main sources of Islamic teachings and the message brought by Prophet Muhammad is
using the Arabic language. So that mankind for adherents of Islam are obliged to follow this
treatise indirectly to understand Arabic. However, whether Arabic became the language used by
the first Adam and Eve, the statement can not be scientifically proven, and have not found an
authentic evidence in the Qur’an.

Further described in the Qur’an







 

  
 

         
  
   
  
  
 
 
      
      
 
    


“And If We have made it a Quran reading in languages other than Arabic, they would say: ‘Why
not verses? ‘Does (should al-Quran) in a foreign language is (the Apostle is the) Arabic? Say:
‘Al-Quran is guidance and a bidder for the believers. And those who do not believe in their ears
is deafness, that the Qur’an was a darkness to them. (Surat Fushilat, 44)

However, Imam Shafi’i,ra. Said,” Allah, requires all mankind to learn Arabic, because the
dialogue between God and mankind is through the Holy Qur’an (Arabic-speaking) and God set
that recite Qur’an including forms of worship . (Hawwa, 1993). On the made of Arabic as the
official language of Muslims does not mean delete and remove the other languages. This is
because the Qur’an and Sunnah as a source of Islamic law is written in Arabic, then the
knowledge of Arabic structure must be mastered by every moslem who will perform ijtihad.
(Abdullah, 2002). Expression that Arabic is the official language of Muslims, it is not on the basis
of race. In the view of Islam learn Arabic is a pride. Prophet Muhammad, said:

“O mankind, truly God Almighty Keeper is one. Our ancestors also one (Adam).and true
religion we are also one. The Arab of yours not on the basis of his father and mother, but the
Arabian is because of the language spoken by the tongue. He who spoke Arabic, so he is an
Arab.

From the realm of religion then we revert to their respective adherents extent believe to
their believenes, as well as the origins of human language. To what extent we should believe
what we believe

D. The Origin of Language in Science Perspective

Science is the embodiment of human curiosity because of his amazement at something 9.

The Inkuiri process which then reinforced with the ability to think to be the main basis for the
emergence of new sciences. The case with the origin of language which is always questionable.
Scientists are also trying to give a real contribution to the mystery of human language through
science. Science is developing in line with the development of human civilization. Human
civilization, one of which is a form of language used, is a representation of the mindset that they
embrace the culture. Along with that, evolutionary theorists often link between the development
of the human brain by the appearance of language.

1. Biological Aspects of Human

In biology, humans usually studied as one of the many species on earth. Learning
human biology is also sometimes extended to the psychological aspects and physical
aspect, but usually not to the spiritual or religious. In biology, the human is defined as
hominids of the species Homo sapiens. The only remaining subspecies of Homo sapiens
is Homo sapiens sapiens. They are usually regarded as the only species that can
survive in the genus Homo. Humans use their tool of movement (two feet) perfectly.
9
lihat Gallagher, Kenneth T. 1994. Epistemologi: Filsafat Ilmu Pengetahuan. Diterjemahkan oleh
Dr. P. Hardono Adi. Yogyakarta: Penerbit Kanisius
 With both feet to move the body, both front legs can be used to manipulate the object
using the thumb . Carolus Linnaeus classify the human species becomes:

From this classification of human belonging to homo sapiens (wise beings) and is
suspected because of the large brain volume and function properly. Wise is able to think
well and useful. Function that makes the brain has an important role in human positions
such as homo sapiens. Then, the human brain believed to also as the forerunners of the
creation of language.

2. Human brain and language

Referring to the biological aspects of humans, the appearance of language depends on

the development of the human brain itself. In its evolution, the human brain develops,
from the simple structure into a more developed structure of perfect (a sophisticated).
This is what led to the discovery of language and language learning. Both were made
possible because people believed in their brain has what is called LAD (language
acquisition device) or the language acquisition device. With regard to evolution, oral
language (vocalization) and sign language (gestures) are inherited from previous
generations of ancestors have been developed in such a way as to create the language
system in the brain. According to the hypothesis of natural evolution, so be creative
capacity of human language evolved both biologically and neurologically, the
development of a certain system that changes shape to meaning will grow too.

The human brain consists of a large brain (cerebrum) and the small brain (cerebellum),
which later divided into four lobes, the frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal. Overall
the human brain is described as follows below:

At first, the origin of language complexity could be seen when the researchers
found many cases of patients affected the capabilities of communication. The
researchers examined more thoroughly on the things that refers to disability or injury
suffered by patients in the brain. They found that the defects or damage to the brain can
cause loss of ability to speak (aphasia). In his research, Marc Dax (1836) reported that
his patients include those who can not speak normally. Disabilities they experience
showed similarities, they have disabled the left brain (left hemisphere of the brain).

In 1861, Paul Broca reported a patient who could only say one word ‘tan’. When
this patient died, Broca examined the patient’s brain and found serious damage to the
brain called the left frontal cortex (the brain and these areas are referred to as Broca).
For the case of such damage to Broca’s area, the patient can still understand the
language only they can not produce speech because words can not be formed properly.
 In 1876, Carl Wernicke discovered the same problem, only happens in other
areas of the brain, exactly at the back of the temporal lobe (later known as Wernicke’s
area). The damage to these brain areas result in loss of ability to understand language.
As a result, the patient was still able to speak but the layout or arrangement of words
generated was so confusing that are not understood at all. Interestingly, both areas of
Broca and Wernicke areas both in the hemisphere (hemisphere) left brain. This suggests
that the inability of language experienced by patients with disorders of the brain damage
comes from the left area of the brain (left hemisphere).

In the theory of evolution, experts allows a fact that social interaction is more
often done along with the ability of human beings in their tactical interactions will
encourage the development of their brains. In addition, factors also affect the food,
especially meat diet is very important for brain development. Here at last withdrawn an
assumption that the size of the human brain evolved along with their language.

3. How Languages Work Causing Human Brain?

As we know that the human brain is divided into two hemispheres (halves), the
right and left. Brain function of the left hemisphere would allow someone to have
intelligence in certain areas such as analytical thinking, logic, science and math, and
language. Broca’s area and Wernick in this section. Broca’s area plays an important role
in the formation of speech which will form the language (not one definition of the
language is spoken?). While Wernicke’s area involved in language comprehension
(meaning).

The function of the right hemisphere of the brain will allow a person to have
intelligence in terms of thinking that is holistic, intuitive, creative, and artistic. It is
described as follows:
Role of the human brain in tracing the origin of language is described in the system
works. The process of how the brain works can be described as follows:

When we say a word that reads, preliminary information obtained from the eyes
and then forwarded to the visual cortex. From the visual cortex, information is sent to the
rear of the speech area (posterior speech areas, including Wernicke’s areas). From
there the information transmitted to Broca’s area and the primary motor cortex (primary
 motor cortex). This is where muscle contraction occurs that causes the sound (speech).
Another case when we say the word sounded. That act is no longer the visual cortex, but
the auditory cortex. Complexity neural network system like this does not happen in the
brains of animals

Along with the development of the human brain from time to time also developed
human language. Human brain in the beginning was so simple and allows for a simple
language well, ranging from sign language to spoken language is more complex. The
development of the human brain from time to time is also influenced by elements of
human consumption of food to nourish the brain. The brain will then grow more complex,
and how to trigger the human brain works to produce more complex language well.

According to the theory of evolution, language eventually evolved along with the
development of the human brain. At the beginning of human civilization began not in
languages like today. Although eventually found written language, the spoken language
has the important role in human civilization until now. Sciences that address the
language problem was developed starting from the role of language structure to
meaning and use of language by the user community. Moreover currently developing the
science of language that connected with other knowledge such as neurolinguistic
medicine, experimental phonetics, psycholinguistics,etc.

E. Closing

Back to the concept of believeness, that we believe what in theHoly Qur’an as a

way of life for Muslims, we have to believe of what the Qur’an said, as one of the pillars
of faith, believe to the Holly Qur’an. However, at the level of logic is still not yet answered
what and how the human language of the earth. As an effort to uncover the origins of
human language, the role of science is important. Science at the origin of language as a
link between the development of human civilization itself with the biological aspects.
Human biological aspects of participation ultimatum to the appearance of language is
the brain. From this evolutionary theorists believe that human language emerged and
evolved as the function and development of the human brain.

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Hawwa, Said. 1993. Al Islam. Jakarta: Gema Insani Press

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Lieberman, P. 1998. Eve Spoke: Human Language and Human Evolution. p. 5, New York: W.W.
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Owens, Robert E, JR, 2008, , United States of America: Perason International edition Language
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