TED Talks
Why language is humanity’s greatest invention | David Peterson
Visit to get our entire library of TED Talks, transcripts, translations, personalized Talk recommendations and more. Civilization rests upon the existence of language, says language creator David Peterson. In a talk that’s equal parts passionate and hilarious, he shows how studying, preserving and inventing new languages helps us understand our collective humanity — and gives…
Science & Technology
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In a quick talk, he shares three major updates of recent human progress on eradicating ancient diseases, establishing massive new ocean sanctuaries and transforming children’s rights. (This conversation was recorded on December 2, 2024.) If you love watching TED Talks like this one, become a TED Member to support our mission of spreading ideas: Follow…
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The end of the year is often a time to reflect and spend time with family — activities that may seem joyful or anxiety-inducing, depending on your circumstances. Psychologist Guy Winch offers actionable advice on how to manage your emotions with confidence during the holidays, from setting boundaries to healing heartache — above all reminding…
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Dr. Harmonica
October 26, 2019 at 10:04 am
A lecture on what is so obvious that it is pointless to have this padantic word waster discuss it. Actually he needs to learn how to learn how to speak concisely and clearly rather than the verbal garbage he is spoutung.
Terrie 000
October 26, 2019 at 10:26 am
7 min passed and I don’t feel connected to the speaker and the point he tries to make other than the obvious title.
Canal THP
October 26, 2019 at 10:56 am
As a languages student, i’ve learned a lot of things.
My native language is Portuguese, but i’m fluent in English, speak some Spanish and starting with Japanese. I also had Latim classes in college, but i didn’t like it.
The amount of awareness you get about communication and even about the way you think is just fantastic!
Lee Amra
October 26, 2019 at 11:02 am
Language is not an invention!
Anonymous
October 26, 2019 at 11:26 am
Where’s the part where he says why laguage is not just a tool? Because it seems to me, it’s just a tool.
ShakeyBritches
October 26, 2019 at 12:44 pm
Woooooord……………….s ✌
权国庆
October 26, 2019 at 12:59 pm
I know well the importance of language for i’m a linguistics major, but I still have to say that it’s almost useless to analyze the so-called syntax or TG grammar. Why don’t we spare more time studying something of great value? such as engineering or marketing
Tony Taylor
October 26, 2019 at 1:12 pm
Language is an invention? Or an evolutionary adaption? Please explain when it was invented smart guy 😆
YouAndImpact
October 26, 2019 at 1:43 pm
Good explanation on how important languages are.🗣
Mystresse Brighteyes
October 26, 2019 at 2:06 pm
“You haven’t heard Shakespeare until you’ve heard it in the original Klingon” (Star Trek: the Undiscovered Country”)–LOL!
MoHsin Khan
October 26, 2019 at 3:58 pm
starting reminds me Steve Trabajo😂
eAcast55
October 26, 2019 at 4:03 pm
There is a crucial point missing: we have traded language against perception. The more we speak, the more restricted we get in terms of observation, perception. We see the downsides beside the advantages today, societywise..There is something deeply superficial about language.
maxerd
October 26, 2019 at 4:46 pm
nah AC is greater.
B Welkinator
October 26, 2019 at 5:19 pm
But, man, I like my imperialism! Everyone should speak Gork!
robizzlor
October 26, 2019 at 5:24 pm
Guy is salty and talks a lot about pseudoscientific stuff. Get a real linguist
frodev
October 26, 2019 at 6:34 pm
The irony is strong here… 🤨
Thomas Chappell
October 26, 2019 at 6:39 pm
Excellent!
Fun Destination 410
October 26, 2019 at 6:59 pm
Come to india if u wana see real languages ,,we have 1000+ languages
End Of Innocence
October 26, 2019 at 7:02 pm
Language is in our genes. We even evolved vocal cords. Funny how the expert didn’t mention that.
Anne Briggs
October 26, 2019 at 7:15 pm
I think taking French 101, Spanish 101, etc in school is useless as a introductory course. We should require a course in foreign language and teach the students how each language works, its mechanics which teaches a lot about how they think. Then, students could take a foreign language of their choice from there. I think David Peterson is saying the same thing but I didn’t listen to the whole video before writing this 🤣
1877Pegasus
October 26, 2019 at 9:53 pm
Too much bla, bla, without a clear sense of direction. Surprisingly chaotic coming from a linguist
Jimmy Sonato
October 26, 2019 at 11:06 pm
Dolphins can transmit images through sound. I wouldn’t consider language an invention but an emerging property of consciousness, which is not unique to humans.
Yardmaster's Wealth Education Center
October 26, 2019 at 11:51 pm
The question in the title assumes facts not in evidence. You cannot say why language is humanity’s greatest invention without first proving that humans did, in fact, create language. We did not.
Existenceisillusion
October 28, 2019 at 9:45 pm
There is no such thing as language
Yardmaster's Wealth Education Center
October 29, 2019 at 12:24 pm
@Existenceisillusion You used language to say there’s no such thing as language.
Let that one just hang there for a minute (or, are minutes not real either?).
Existenceisillusion
October 29, 2019 at 2:32 pm
@Yardmaster’s Wealth Education Center Did you really not notice it’s a joke? I assure you the conceptual juxtaposition was intentional. Unfortunately, _you_ didn’t find it humorous.
Yardmaster's Wealth Education Center
October 29, 2019 at 2:40 pm
@Existenceisillusion Well, I appreciate your comment, and the clarification. Because of it, I am able to see, and appreciate the humor. Like doing a rewind. So, in all honesty, thank you.
Looking back, I can see the humor you were aiming at, but you did not do the generally accepted things people do on the internet, and in text, to indicate that it was a joke. The words alone were not enough to make any judgment. Hence my response.
Encryption 1.0
October 27, 2019 at 12:18 am
Actually language is the problem. I spent 30 days in a monastery where no one spoke. For the first two days it was quite hard but on day 3 I realize that speaking was completely unnecessary. We can communicate on a level Beyond verbal the benefits of not speaking for 30 days. Was absolutely phenomenal. Upon my return to normal society I reduced my verbal communication by 50%. And still maintain a very normal life.
PresidentialWinner
October 27, 2019 at 2:00 am
“Spoons!” LIKE
kph jpsj
October 27, 2019 at 3:54 am
언어중에 한국어가 최고야 세종대왕 만세
Marko Hafner
October 27, 2019 at 4:08 am
Can someone explain why, in USA, diphthongs are called long vowel? When I first came to the US I thought that the elementary school teacher was dum … simply wasn’t educated enouhg. But HERE this guy is still and again calling all the diphthongs “long vowels.” What is going on? Diphthong means TWO SOUNDS if I am not mistaken.
The Incognito
October 27, 2019 at 7:48 am
Why i dont care any of this chats??
Liu Mavis
October 27, 2019 at 9:14 am
i actually don’t know whether it’s delightful or not when one language reaches overpowering popularity .i learn Korean by myself,for there is no access in school.
JavasBest
October 27, 2019 at 1:14 pm
I heard a whole lot of nothing…
Existenceisillusion
October 28, 2019 at 9:34 pm
I’ve heard people say that about lectures in mathematics
S'witty Kiwi
October 27, 2019 at 2:33 pm
Interesting…but saying “language” when hearing a bad word is like saying “transportation” when getting hit by a car.
Arvensis Andromeda
October 27, 2019 at 3:27 pm
He brings up points that remind me of why I love reading Tolkien so much. Everytime Tolkien writes something there’s a chance that he will go into a rabbit hole so to speak and explain exactly what he means about simply one line or one word with a few pages. It’s truly fascinating.
Connor Seunninga
October 27, 2019 at 10:17 pm
Such a loveable talk for informational promotion.
Mohamed Abdi
October 27, 2019 at 10:29 pm
Language was a gift from Allah , the almighty taught us how to speak . How we pick up language easily , why other animals can’t speak or do complex things , it looks like they are stuck in evolution , Evolution has nothing to do when it comes to la language
Sandy Riley
October 28, 2019 at 1:35 am
Ha. Thought it said lasagna.
Aditya Hegade
October 28, 2019 at 5:13 am
14:13 That is definitely a very wrong use of the word ‘literally’…. especially for someone who makes new languages…. 😅 Just sayin’
Mr Mister
October 28, 2019 at 6:41 am
Too bad are ancestors couldn’t just keep the same language
Mouldy CPU
October 28, 2019 at 6:45 am
1990s called and they want their hairstyle back.
Lunareon
October 28, 2019 at 6:55 am
Each language represents a unique way of experiencing the surrounding world. Therefore, to truly understand each other, we must learn each other’s language.
Aditya Gupta
October 28, 2019 at 7:18 am
Call grant anderson aka 3blue1brown for talk
Thank You
October 28, 2019 at 10:44 am
We cannot confirm for a fact if “humans” taught themselves language or not, therefore we cannot presume that humans invented it.
Existenceisillusion
October 28, 2019 at 9:35 pm
Language and intelligence are in a feedback loop
Filipe Salgueiro
October 29, 2019 at 11:37 am
I’m a portuguese which also speaks english and french (I will eventually try and learn german or dutch) and I have to say that learning different languages enables you to see connections between them and, even with all differences, you can get a sense that we have a lot of things that unites us all!
ktm640lc4BGD
October 29, 2019 at 3:01 pm
And what is the point? Wa all know that. This is supposed to be a NEW ide worth spreading.