But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids cover image

Who Invented Words?

But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids

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The Origins of the First Words

Linguist John McWhorter says the first people to come up with words were in Africa. He says we will probably never know what those first words were. Some say it must have had something to do with imitating sounds that things make. But if you think about it, most things don't make sounds and there's no language for door.

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