logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2017
29m 13s

Where did language come from?

American Public Media
About this episode

Where did language come from? Is it possible to know without traveling back in time? And how do babies learn to speak? Plus: We’ll hear how the word “silly” has evolved over the last several hundred years.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Nov 18
Do dogs know that they're dogs?
<p>We treat dogs like they're part of the family. But do they know they are a different species, or do they think they're just short, four-legged people?</p> <p data-encore-id="text">In this episode, canine cognition researcher Alexandra Horowitz helps us puzzle out this question ... Show More
26m 18s
Nov 11
Mystery Sounds from the natural world
<p>Today&rsquo;s episode is full of Mystery Sounds from around the world. Molly and co-host Rehema are joined by sonic explorer Thomas Rex Beverly, who travels the globe to capture the sounds of the natural world. He brings us some beautiful head-scratchers that really must be he ... Show More
33m 28s
Nov 4
Why are octopuses so smart?
Octopus, more like ROCK-topus! Because these creatures bring the excitement. They can shape shift to match their surroundings. They have three hearts and teeth on their tongues! And they are super smart. Join fill-in host Rosie duPont and co-host Izumi as they explore the world o ... Show More
30m 55s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2019
SG #181: Die deutsche Sprache – Geschichte der Sprache
Mehr als 100 Millionen Menschen sprechen die deutsche Sprache. Vor allem in Deutschland, Österreich, Schweiz und Liechtenstein. Aber auch in Teilen von Belgien, Luxemburg, Dänemark und Italien wird deutsch gesprochen. Aber wie ist diese Sprache eigentlich entstanden? Reisen wi ... Show More
12m 11s
Dec 2023
What's it like to be bilingual?
<p>Almost half the people in the world speak at least two languages. And, it turns out, that includes a lot of <em>But Why</em> listeners! In this episode we talk about what it’s like to speak multiple languages and kids from around the world share phrases in many different langu ... Show More
34m 57s
May 2016
Who Invented Words?
<p>On But Why we let you ask the questions and we help find the answers. One of the things that many of you are curious about is language. How we speak, why we speak and what we speak.</p> 
15m 45s
Nov 2022
What Accent?
How and why do we make assumptions based on the way people speak? What is considered “proper,” or “correct” language – and who decides that, anyway? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for adv ... Show More
29m 14s
Aug 2019
What are animals saying to each other?
Tai’s brother Kien thinks he can talk to ducks. We’ve taught our animals to sit and stay, but that’s not the same as us learning their language, you know? Do animals have language? And if they do, could we learn it? Can we ever really know what animals are saying to each other? F ... Show More
26m 50s
Jul 2022
Welche Sprachen sprichst du? | Folge 3
<p>Ab wann kann man sagen, dass man eine Sprache spricht?</p> 
5m 8s