The Unsung linguists.
They say that “man made language”. While that might be true to an extent, let’s entertain a rather unconventional perspective – perhaps it wasn’t just man who fashioned language, but women too!
I guess it’s time to give credit where it’s due and explore the notion that women might have played a significant role in the inception of language.
Traditionally, it’s been argued that language evolved as a means for early humans to express their thoughts and feelings. However, let’s question this narrative. Did our ancestors (men), caught up in the demands of survival, really have the time to sit around and concoct an elaborate system of communication?
I doubt it.
There’s a saying that ‘man invented language to satisfy his deep need to complain,’ which I’d rephrase as ‘man made language to satisfy his innate desire to express himself.’ Interestingly, this quote was posited by a woman – Lily Tomlin.
Which gives me more reason to believe that, in fact, the first language was invented by a woman. Hence, I propose an alternative interpretation to that quote: “Women made language to express their innate desire (to complain).”
After all, if we’re honest about our historical understanding, who had the leisure to sit and craft words when they were busy hunting, going to wars, migrating, or at least pondering the complexities of survival if not the ones with words to say.
We all know language, in its early stages, was likely a collection of sounds and vocals. So, let’s imagine early humans – not in philosophical musings about life, but in the practicalities of raising families. Isn’t it plausible that the first language was crafted by women, who would use repeated words to communicate with their infants? Mothers and nursing-moms, the unsung linguists of the past, who may have unknowingly set the foundation for our complex linguistic repertoire?
C’mon think about it!
Consider this: in many families, children tend to learn their mother’s language before that of their father’s. That is, if we set aside environmental and societal influences, a child will often acquire the language spoken by their mother first. I mean, isn’t that where the term “mother tongue” might have originated, given its natural tendency?
All I’m trying to say is, in our pursuit of unraveling the mysteries of language, let’s not overlook the potential contributions of women. While historical records may not explicitly credit them, it’s nice time to imagine a scenario where women were the architects of our linguistic heritage, given their pivotal role in society.
So, the next time someone asserts that man made language, you can confidently interject, “Well, let’s not forget the unsung linguists – who probably did their fair share of crafting words amidst all the chaos of survival.”
After all, a touch of satire and humor can always add a refreshing twist to our understanding of history or a casual conversation.”
