Here are some relevant points from his writings:
* In the *Cratylus*, Plato explores the relationship between words and the things they represent. He uses the example of the word "man" (anthropos) and suggests that it might derive from "an" (up) and "thropos" (looking) – implying that man stands upright and looks upwards. This points to a connection between language and the nature of things, which he ultimately rejects as too simplistic.
* The same dialogue also considers the role of convention in language. The characters discuss how words are arbitrary and based on agreement, rather than an intrinsic link to their meaning.
* Plato emphasizes the importance of "true names", which he suggests are divine and have a deeper, more fundamental connection to reality. This concept is related to his theory of Forms, which posits that physical objects are merely imperfect copies of perfect, eternal Forms.
Overall, Plato's views on language are complex and interwoven with his broader philosophical system. He emphasizes its importance for thought and communication, but he also raises questions about its nature and origin.
While he doesn't provide a specific theory of how language originated, his ideas about the relationship between language, thought, and reality continue to be influential and have shaped subsequent discussions about language and its role in human understanding.