Hooked on Phonics

A biologist at the University of Auckland in New Zealand has developed a theory that language began in Southern Africa about 9000 years ago. So, the cradle of civilization might be in the Middle East, but the cradle of language is in South Africa.

Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/15/science/15language.html

(Quentin D. Atkinson is name of biologist)

Interesting time to study the Astrological Ages that have unfolded through history because the timing here hooks up nicely.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrological_age#The_Age_of_Taurus_.28The_Taurean_Age.29

The signs move backwards rather than forwards in this case. Right now we're in the Age of Pisces and everyone's been whining the whole time about how cool it will be once we make it to Aquarius. It does explain modern society's attempts at trying to heal human suffering. And the Global Warming die off of earth where we all end up floating around in nothing but a big ocean.

At any rate, 9000 years ago was maybe just around the beginning of the Age of Gemini. That's words and communication. After that came the Age of Taurus. That's sounds and alphabets. So, the astrology doesn't back the linguists' theories really.

The linguists' findings do fit with the development of language in babies. Language seems to first come out of a Taurus phase, where a baby develops attachment to objects and material parts of his environment, especially the parts which give comfort. After repeated exposure to objects and environment baby of course develops a memory for the good stuff. Then baby develops separation anxiety when the thing isn't around, then learns to ask for it, or at least screams for it. Gemini. Eventually it all turns into witty repartee like a 1930s B&W movie.

Toilet training doesn't come until the Mars Return. I'm so glad I don't remember that one. I have a feeling that fear of making a mess was a big part of my upbringing.