The Origin of Language

How We Learned to Speak and Why

De: Madeleine Beekman

Narrado por: Cat Gould

In a radical new story about the birth of our species, The Origin of Language argues that it was not hunting, fighting, or tool-making that forced early humans to speak, but the inescapable need to care for our children.

Journeying to the dawn of Homo sapiens, evolutionary biologist Madeleine Beekman reveals the “happy accidents” hidden in our molecular biology—DNA, chromosomes, and proteins—that led to one of the most fateful events in the history of life on Earth: our giving birth to babies earlier in their development than our hominid cousins the Neanderthals and Denisovans. Faced with highly dependent infants requiring years of nurturing and protection, early human communities needed to cooperate and coordinate, and it was this unprecedented need for communication that triggered the creation of human language—and changed everything.

Infused with cutting-edge science, sharp humour, and insights into the history of biology and its luminaries, Beekman weaves a narrative that’s both enlightening and entertaining. Challenging the traditional theories of male luminaries like Chomksy, Pinker, and Harari, she invites us into the intricate world of molecular biology and its ancient secrets. The Origin of Language is a tour de force by a brilliant biologist on how a culture of cooperation and care have shaped our existence.

©2025 Madeleine Beekman (P)2025 Simon & Schuster UK

Reseñas de la Crítica

'A rigorous examination of the evolution of human communication. Compelling, thought provoking and hugely entertaining. I learned even as I laughed.' (Ashley Ward, biologist and author of The Social Lives of Animals and Sensational)

'Beautiful, playful and all-encompassing. Beekman elegantly delves into that most elusive and tantalizing aspect of our evolution: language. On every page there's something that makes you smile and think, "I didn't know that!"' (Menno Schilthuizen, author of Darwin Comes to Town)

'With a knack for making complex topics accessible and interesting, Beekman guides us through human evolution, with stops along the way to explain why we walk upright and why babies are cute but koalas are boring. She persuasively argues for childcare as the linchpin in the evolution of our ability to speak, and shows how language, that extraordinary human accomplishment, engages in an exquisite to-and-fro with the brain.' (Marlene Zuk, author of Paleofantasy)

'Beekman uncovers the evolutionary mysteries behind human speech in this riveting exploration of our linguistic past. As artificial intelligence reshapes communication, understanding the deep roots of human language has never been more crucial. A must-read for anyone seeking essential insights to navigate our rapidly evolving technological future.' (Dana Suskind, author of 30 Million Words)

'A tour de force. At its core it seeks to explain the origin of language. But, by linking our patterns of sociality, behaviour, development and communication it is a celebration of humanity's origins. Reading Madeleine Beekman’s book, you will never look at babies – and their utterances – the same way ever again.' (Neil Shubin, evolutionary biologist and author of Your Inner Fish)