* No written records: The earliest known languages only emerged with the development of writing, which happened relatively recently in human history.
* Evolution of language: Languages are constantly evolving. Even if we could somehow reconstruct a language from thousands of years ago, it would be vastly different from what we would consider a "language" today.
* Multiple origins: It's very likely that language developed independently in different parts of the world, meaning there wasn't a single "first" language.
What we do know:
* Language is ancient: We know that humans have been speaking for at least tens of thousands of years, perhaps even longer.
* Evolutionary process: Language likely developed gradually, starting with simple vocalizations and gestures and becoming more complex over time.
* Theories about origins: There are many theories about how language originated, but no definitive answer. Some theories suggest that it arose from gestures, others from mimicry, and still others from the need for social cooperation.
While we may never know the exact first language, understanding how language developed is an exciting and ongoing field of research.