Some Milestones
of Language and
Communication
How we got to where we are--So to speak.
|
Out of the trees and into the fields.
Possibly world climactic changes and the resulting diminished forests prodded some tree dwelling primates to adapt to plain environments.
Here, the ability to easily stand on one's hind legs to see above the tall meadow grasses, had survival value. This perhaps also gave extra freedom to the hands which could then be used more readily to develop tools.
This in turn would have stimulated brain growth and improved the thought processes--powerful survival assets in a world filled with eminent and fatal dangers.
Click on the Notes below for more related information. Materials found in the notes throughout these lectures, however, are for interest purposes only and will not be included on any of the tests.
From gathering and hunting to farming.
Oral communication must have facilitated gathering and hunting effectiveness within the families, clans and hunting parties. But basically it was a hand-to-mouth existence.
The move toward an agricultural society provided an increased food base that could support a larger number of people.
Specialized skills became more prevalent and the dependency upon communication increased many fold.
Click on the Notes below for more related information. Materials found in the notes (when they work) throughout these lectures, however, are for interest purposes only and will not be included on any of the tests.
From rural to city dwelling--
The development of homes, villages, and city states placed a premium on communication, both verbal and writing.
The infra-structures of city society--religion, government, business, education and commerce were riding high on the bulwarks of communication. Craftsmanship gave way to the industrial revolution, machines and technology.
Communication was shifted into high gear by the advent of the printing press, phones, radio, and television.
For the first time, the people of the world were being united by the threads of communication.