In this work, originally published in Dutch, Rik Smits theorizes that language could not have developed originally as a system of communication. It is, instead, the result of combining separate abilities, each of which developed independently to aid the survival of early humans. Lacking strength and speed, man relies on wisdom for survival. Smits theorizes that human skills in calculation and estimation continued to develop until they were sufficient to accommodate a system as complex as grammar.

Only after our linguistic ability emerged could humans think logically and share our reasoning with others, at which point almost everything we now call culture began to flourish. Smits concludes that language cannot have long predated the invention of agriculture in the Middle East, some 14,000 years ago. The huge advance in civilization represented by language made abstract powers of reasoning indispensable for the first time, along with highly developed concepts of identity, past, present, and future, all of which rely upon language.

This explanation of the origins of language throws new light on cave paintings by Cro-Magnon man, whose masterpieces date from about 40,000 to 15,000 years ago. Anatomically Cro-Magnons were modern humans, but they had no language in the modern sense. Their absence of language gave them no true sense of individual identity.

This translation was made possible by a grant from the Dutch Foundation for Literature.

About the Author
Rik Smits is a linguist and science journalist from The Netherlands. He is the author of several books, including The Puzzle of Left-Handedness.

Reviews
"The appeal of the book is Smits' knack for describing important and fascinating aspects of the human mind... For those who enjoy reading about human prehistory and history, Dawn is well worth a look." - David S. Kreiner, PsycCRITIQUES



Book Information
ISBN 9781412862653
Author Rik Smits
Format Paperback
Page Count 230
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Inc
Weight(grams) 317g