The Importance of Language

In Language May Have Helped Early Humans Spread Out of Africa, Michael Balter highlights research by Quentin Atkinson, a psychologist from the University of Auckland, which suggests that language may have played a crucial role in the early human migrations out of Africa. Atkinson’s study draws parallels between the spread of human genetics and the diversification of language, arguing that both follow similar patterns of diffusion from Africa. Instead of tracing words or grammatical structures, which can only take us back around 6,500 years, Atkinson examines phonemes—the smallest units of sound that distinguish words. By analyzing phonemes in 504 languages worldwide, he found that Africa has the greatest phoneme diversity, with this diversity shrinking the further one gets from the continent. This mirrors the genetic diversity pattern, where populations further from Africa exhibit less genetic variation. Atkinson concludes that the origin of human language likely lies in central and southern Africa and that language may have been the key cultural innovation that allowed early humans to expand across the globe. His findings suggest that language predated the human migration out of Africa, occurring between 50,000 and 70,000 years ago. Though some linguists are surprised by the possibility that phoneme diversity can be traced this far back, Atkinson’s methodology appears sound, and his conclusions offer a fresh perspective on how language shaped human history.

Debunking Stereotypes About Africa

Atkinson’s research debunks several common stereotypes about Africa, especially regarding the continent’s role in human civilization and language development. One persistent stereotype is the notion that Africa is culturally and intellectually stagnant, often seen as the recipient of external innovations. This study, however, places Africa at the center of one of the most fundamental human achievements: the development of language. By showing that phoneme diversity is highest in Africa, Atkinson’s research suggests that African languages are the oldest and most varied, directly countering the idea that Africa has always been culturally behind other regions. This not only reasserts Africa’s significance in early human history but also challenges the narrative that innovation and progress came only from Europe or Asia.

Another stereotype the study confronts is the perception of Africa as an isolated continent, separated from the rest of human history until modern times. In fact, the genetic and linguistic evidence reveals that Africa was the starting point for human migration and, by extension, cultural diffusion across the globe. Far from being peripheral, African populations were central to the spread of humanity and its most crucial innovation—language.

Lastly, Atkinson’s research challenges the idea that Africa’s contributions to human culture and development are somehow less valuable or sophisticated. By demonstrating that language itself likely originated in Africa, the study underscores the sophistication of early African societies. It suggests that the people who left Africa carried with them not only genetic material but also cultural and cognitive tools—like language—that allowed for the rapid spread and adaptation of humans across the planet. These findings offer a powerful counter-narrative to the myth of Africa as a place devoid of early innovation, affirming its foundational role in shaping human civilization.

Balter, M. (2011). Language may have helped early humans spread out of Africa: Study finds parallels between genetic diversity and verbal diversity. Science. doi: 10.1126/article.28962