Speech Before Words
Will Abberley argues that some of the most compelling efforts to picture the evolution of language have been in science fiction and that these stories still impact on debates today.
Where did language come from? It's often been described as the fundamental barrier between humans and animals. However, many scientists now believe speech evolved gradually from animal communication. Will Abberley from the University of Oxford argues that some of the most compelling efforts to picture this evolution have been in science fiction, and that these stories still impact on debates about language today.
Recorded in front of an audience at 成人快手 Radio 3's Free Thinking Festival of Ideas at Sage Gateshead.
All the discussions and essays from the Free Thinking festival are available as Radio 3 Arts and Ideas downloads.
Producer: Jacqueline Smith.
Last on
Broadcast
- Tue 11 Nov 2014 22:45成人快手 Radio 3
Featured in...
![]()
Science Fiction Season
Programmes exploring the wonderful world of Science Fiction.
The Arts & Ideas Podcast
You can download all the past episodes of Radio 3's Free Thinking
Discussions and talks from the Free Thinking Festival 2019
Angry politics, what we can鈥檛 say, being diplomatic, weeping, emotion in music, film & TV
Click to listen to discussions, talks and music as the Free Thinking Festival 2019 Gets Emotional
Angry politics, what we can鈥檛 say, being diplomatic, weeping, emotion in music, film & TV
CLICK to LISTEN & SEE programmes from the Free Thinking Festival 2018: The One & the Many
We examine the fast-changing relationship between the individual & the crowd
CLICK to LISTEN & SEE all programmes, images, clips & features from 2017's festival
Free Thinking Festival 2017: The Speed of Life