The Origin and Diversification of Language (Classic Reprint)

Discover how language began and grew across humans and other species. This concise, peer‑reviewed volume gathers interdisciplinary work on the origin and diversification of language, drawing on biology, archaeology, psychology, and linguistics to map a complex story.

The book captures a moment when researchers from many fields join forces to explore what language is, how it develops, and why it matters for our species. It balances evidence from the fossil record with insights into brain function, animal communication, and the cultural shifts that accompany language growth.

• How animal sounds, gestures, and scents relate to human language and meaning


• Archaeological evidence for the rise of symbolic behavior and communicative systems


• Discussions of early human language capacity, brain organization, and evolutionary context


• Debates on whether complex syntax and symbolic use appeared with modern populations

Ideal for students and general readers curious about how language originated, evolved, and diversified across time and species.

Nina G. Jablonski is Irvine Chair of Anthropology and Chair of the Department of Anthropology at the California Academy of Sciences. Leslie C. Aiello is Professor of Biological Anthropology at University College, London.