Home / Summaries / The Study of Language / human-primates-capacity

The origins of language - The physical adaptation source

4 important questions on The origins of language - The physical adaptation source

What is the advantage of human teeth and lips compared to other primates regarding capacity for speech?

Humans teeth are more straight and smaller compared to primates. Although a disadvantage, it makes it possible to form fricatives. The human lips have an intricate muscle interlacing. This flexibility makes forming plosives and nasal sounds possible.

What is the advantage of the human mouth and tongue compared to other primates regarding capacity for speech?

The human mouth is small and can open ad close rapidly. It is also part of an L-shaped vocal tract. The human tongue is shorter, stronger and thicker than that of other primates. This all shows that the human mouth is capable of making a wide variety and fast delivery of shapes and therefor of sounds.

What is the advantage of the human larynx and pharynx compared to other primates regarding the capacity for speech?

The human larynx is positioned lower compared to other primates. This development is caused by the head moving above the spinal column. The longer pharynx act as a resonator, for increased range and clarity of produced sounds.