The
origin of language in the
human species has been the topic of scholarly discussions for several centuries. In spite of this, there is no consensus on the ultimate origin or age of human language. One problem makes the topic difficult to study: the lack of direct evidence. Consequently, scholars wishing to study the origins of language must draw inferences from other kinds of evidence such as the
fossil record, archaeological evidence, contemporary language diversity, studies of
language acquisition, and comparisons between human
language and systems of communication existing
among other animals (particularly
other primates). Many argue that the origins of language probably relate closely to the origins of
modern human behavior, but there is little agreement about the implications and directionality of this connection.