New idea for the origin of language episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 13, 2026 · 54 MIN

New idea for the origin of language

from The Science Show - Full Program Podcast · host Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Conventional explanations for how humans became ‘the language animal’ focus on our need to cooperate to hunt, fight or make tools. Now, evolutionary biologist Madeleine Beekman suggests a new idea for origin of language: the need to share childcare.

Conventional explanations for how humans became ‘the language animal’ focus on our need to cooperate to hunt, fight or make tools. Now, evolutionary biologist Madeleine Beekman suggests a new idea for origin of language: the need to share childcare.

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New idea for the origin of language

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This episode was published on March 13, 2026.

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Conventional explanations for how humans became ‘the language animal’ focus on our need to cooperate to hunt, fight or make tools. Now, evolutionary biologist Madeleine Beekman suggests a new idea for origin of language: the need to share...

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