Here's what we know:
* Human evolution: Language is likely a recent development in human evolution, arising sometime after our ancestors diverged from other primates. The earliest evidence of human-like communication, such as the use of tools and symbolic art, dates back to around 2.5 million years ago.
* The "language instinct": Linguist Noam Chomsky proposed the idea of a "language instinct," suggesting humans are born with an innate ability to acquire language. This instinct is thought to be encoded in our genes, allowing us to learn the rules of grammar and vocabulary.
* Evolutionary advantage: Language likely evolved as a survival advantage. It allowed early humans to cooperate, share information, and pass on knowledge to future generations.
* The "gestural theory": Some researchers believe language may have originated from gestures, which then evolved into spoken sounds. This theory is supported by the fact that many primates use complex gestures to communicate.
Therefore, we can't say definitively where language started. It's a gradual process that likely evolved over millions of years, with contributions from various factors like biological evolution, social interactions, and environmental pressures.