Language Evolution: A brief overview

This article provides a very brief overview of the study of language evolution, targeted at students early on in their studies in any field. The article begins by arguing that to understand language we must understand its evolution, and briefly shows how interest in the topic has expanded, particularly in the last 30 years. This leads to a closer look at what we now understand about language evolution, focusing on consensus and looking at major themes, particularly complimentary biological and cultural approaches. The article concludes with a look at the interacting genetic, cultural, and developmental timescales at play in the evolution of language.