Re: Language (was: Re: African Languages (was: Re: Re[2]: [tied] Re:

--- Andrew Jarrette <anjarrette@...> wrote:

>
>
> Rick McCallister <gabaroo6958@...> wrote:
>
> -
> Yes I believe all languages ultimately do go back
> to
> Africa but, as I say, that's part of my belief in
> the
> unity of mankind and not something I have the
> wherewithal to prove. Give the recent revelations
> about the small population of humans in Africa and
> the
> split between Khoi-San and non-Khoi-San peoples, I
> would guess--not pronounce-- that language arose
> before the split and that Khoi-San was the first
> group
> to split from the main body of languages. After
> that,
> your guess is as good as mine
> --------------
> In researching "Khoi-San" since I know nothing of
> this genetic and linguistic classification, I found
> the following statement about the extinct language
> Damin of Australia which also uses clicks like
> Khoi-San: "Damin is an invented ritual language, and
> has nothing to do with Khoisan." If you're
> wondering why I am quoting this, it's because of the
> first part of the quote, that it is known to be an
> invented language. To me, this raises the question:
> Is not all language ultimately invented? I think
> language must have originated in deliberate,
> premeditated manipulation of speech sounds for the
> purpose of communication, i.e. was invented, like
> Damin. I don't think it was just a natural
> automatic act like blinking or eating. I think it
> was more akin to cooking, where choices are made as
> to the product of the action. Arbitrary, but
> deliberate. Is language not an invention? Is it an
> automatic natural act? Or are these unnecessary
> questions?
>
>
>

Andrew__________________________________________________________

Damin is an invented ritual language but, like
Pig-Latin, Shelta or Lunfardo, etc. it's created in
context with a pre-existing language. All I know about
Damin is that it has clicks, I don't know in what
sense it differs from the everyday language --if
clicks replace determined phonemes or what, or if it
reverses syllables or maintains archaic vocabulary or
invents new words, etc. But I would guess it's based
on the pre-existing language. See if you can find a
website that bears that out or contradicts it.
As I said, my belief is that language originated in
Africa c. 60-100 Kya, that the first split followed
the first known split in humanity Khoi-San vs the rest
of Africa.
As far as I know, no one or no group has ever
successfully invented a language from scratch and
convinced a group to use it --with the possible
exception of Nicaraguan sign language, but that was a
group of deaf people. If someone else knows otherwise,
speak up.


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