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<p>After the human–chimpanzee split, the human-related lineage evolved into different species of <i>Homo</i>. However, only one of these species, or anatomically modern humans (AMHs), has survived, leading to what we are. A question of language evolution that has remained both appealing and controversial is whether AMHs were the first and only species of <i>Homo</i> to have a vocal language. Although there are viewpoints in favor of the emergence of such linguistic capability only in AMHs, or also in Neanderthals, this review argues for a much earlier emergence of it in <i>Homo erectus</i> by accumulating evidence from anatomy, genetics, archaeology, and social cooperation. The article ends with a discussion that defends the vocal hypothesis of language origin based on a critique of the gestural hypothesis.</p>

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Did Homo Erectus Have a (Vocal) Language?

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月5日

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  • Lan Yao,
  • Dong Yao

摘要

After the human–chimpanzee split, the human-related lineage evolved into different species of Homo. However, only one of these species, or anatomically modern humans (AMHs), has survived, leading to what we are. A question of language evolution that has remained both appealing and controversial is whether AMHs were the first and only species of Homo to have a vocal language. Although there are viewpoints in favor of the emergence of such linguistic capability only in AMHs, or also in Neanderthals, this review argues for a much earlier emergence of it in Homo erectus by accumulating evidence from anatomy, genetics, archaeology, and social cooperation. The article ends with a discussion that defends the vocal hypothesis of language origin based on a critique of the gestural hypothesis.