Arguments for Spoken Language Coming First:
* Biological Basis: Humans have vocal cords and the neurological capacity for speech. These biological features suggest that spoken language evolved first, and writing emerged later as a way to represent that spoken language.
* Universality: Spoken language exists in all human cultures, while writing systems are more recent and not universal.
* Development: Children learn to speak before they learn to read and write.
* Evolutionary Advantage: Spoken language would have been advantageous for early humans to communicate about immediate threats, needs, and social interactions.
Arguments for Written Language Coming First:
* Ancient Evidence: Some argue that evidence of early writing systems predates any confirmed evidence of spoken languages. However, this evidence is often contested.
* Cognitive Complexity: Writing requires a more sophisticated level of cognitive processing than speech. Some argue that writing may have been a catalyst for the development of complex language.
* Symbolic Thinking: The invention of writing systems suggests that humans were already capable of abstract thinking and symbol manipulation, skills that could have led to the development of spoken language.
The Most Likely Scenario:
Most linguists believe that spoken language came first, based on the biological and developmental arguments. However, it's likely that written language evolved gradually over time, becoming increasingly complex alongside the evolution of spoken language.
Important Points:
* The "chicken and egg" problem: It's difficult to definitively prove which came first because written language leaves physical evidence, while spoken language does not.
* The evolution of both: Both spoken and written languages evolved over many thousands of years, with influences and connections between the two.
Ultimately, the answer to this question remains a fascinating area of research and debate. It's likely that the relationship between spoken and written language is complex and intertwined, with both influencing the development of the other.