Here's why:
* Languages are constantly evolving: Spoken languages change over time. They develop from earlier forms, so there's no single starting point.
* No written records from that time: The earliest languages didn't have writing systems, so we can't look at written records to determine what they were.
* Limited evidence: We can only study the origins of language through indirect evidence, such as:
* Archaeological findings: These help us understand the development of human societies and their communication abilities.
* Linguistic analysis: By comparing modern languages and their relatedness, linguists can make inferences about earlier languages.
* Primate communication: Studying how other primates communicate can offer insights into the evolution of human language.
However, we do know that language likely originated in Africa around 150,000 to 200,000 years ago. It's fascinating to think about the first sounds that formed into words and the early forms of human communication!