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Origin of Language

How We Learned to Speak and Why

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Origin of Language

By: Madeleine Beekman
Narrated by: Cat Gould
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About this listen

 In a radical new story about the birth of our species, The Origin of Language argues that it was not hunting, fighting, or tool-making that forced early humans to speak, but the inescapable need to care for our children.

Journeying to the dawn of Homo sapiens, evolutionary biologist Madeleine Beekman reveals the “happy accidents” hidden in our molecular biology—DNA, chromosomes, and proteins—that led to one of the most fateful events in the history of life on Earth: our giving birth to babies earlier in their development than our hominid cousins the Neanderthals and Denisovans. Faced with highly dependent infants requiring years of nurturing and protection, early human communities needed to cooperate and coordinate, and it was this unprecedented need for communication that triggered the creation of human language—and changed everything.

Infused with cutting-edge science, sharp humor, and insights into the history of biology and its luminaries, Beekman weaves a narrative that’s both enlightening and entertaining. Challenging the traditional theories of male luminaries like Chomksy, Pinker, and Harari, she invites us into the intricate world of molecular biology and its ancient secrets. The Origin of Language is a tour de force by a brilliant biologist on how a culture of cooperation and care have shaped our existence. Biological Sciences Evolution Evolution & Genetics Gender Studies Linguistics Science Social Sciences

Critic Reviews

"A novel answer to a question that has long confounded evolutionary thinkers... Beekman’s reading of the distant past gives us a chance to reckon with just how unnatural it is for parents to go it alone in the present and just how much we might be losing in the process."
—The Atlantic
A tour de force. At its core it seeks to explain the origin of language. But, by linking our patterns of sociality, behavior, development, and communication it is a celebration of humanity's origins. Reading Madeleine Beekman’s book, you will never look at babies—and their utterances—the same way ever again.
—Neil Shubin, evolutionary biologist and author of Your Inner Fish
"Plenty of theories have been tossed into the evidentiary void… mainly by men, but now evolutionary biologist Madeleine Beekman, of the University of Sydney, has turned her female gaze on the problem… Her theory, which she describes as having been hiding in plain sight, is compelling… exciting… thought-provoking… a persuasive case."
—The Guardian
"A rigorous examination of the evolution of human communication. Compelling, thought provoking, and hugely entertaining. I learned even as I laughed."
—Ashley Ward, biologist and author of The Social Lives of Animals and Sensational
"Beekman makes an impressive case for an evolutionary development that brings together our physical limitations, large brain, and the years of development required before we can operate independently. This is all done in a lightly handled, readable fashion.... A fascinating addition to the field."
—Popular Science
"Beekman uncovers the evolutionary mysteries behind human speech in this riveting exploration of our linguistic past. As artificial intelligence reshapes communication, understanding the deep roots of human language has never been more crucial. A must-read for anyone seeking essential insights to navigate our rapidly evolving technological future."
—Dana Suskind, author of 30 Million Words
"Beautiful, playful, and all-encompassing. Beekman elegantly delves into that most elusive and tantalizing aspect of our evolution: language. On every page there's something that makes you smile and think, 'I didn't know that!'"
—Menno Schilthuizen, author of Darwin Comes to Town
"A honey bee researcher wanders beyond her field of expertise and wonders how and why humans evolved language. Revisiting existing knowledge armed with her scientific training and her lived experience, Madeleine Beekman posits a pivotal role for helpless human babies screaming for care. Large brains, gossiping mothers, talkative children, and all the rest follow—scientific exploration at its best."
—Raghavendra Gadagkar, author of Survival Strategies
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