Why does Man talk? What are the requirements for him to communicate? Is speech an intrinsic part of humans as a species? Is it the need to tell stories that made Man develop the ability to talk?

Like all other animals, throughout evolution Man has used signals to show his intentions, emotions and needs. But what makes him fundamentally different from all other animals is his ‘invention’ of independent speech.

Although for a long time, scientists held the belief that language was a ‘human invention’, neuroscience and brain imaging technology are now giving us a better understanding of how the body handles speech.

Scientists from various parts of the world (North America, France, South Africa, Hawaii, New Zealand), specialists in their field, feature in this documentary. They all play or have played a role in the scientific adventure described in this project. Top-level scientists, sometimes scorned for their daring ideas, are all trying to push forward our knowledge of language and its origins.

This investigative documentary was shot in the great outdoors or in laboratories. South Africa, the Middle East, France, Canada, and Germany: a variety of very different environments to reflect the universal interest in this issue.

On account of its scientific ambitions, this film uses some of the latest technologies: 3D, live replication of scientific experiments, together with the help of the latest research in robotics and computers.

The trailer is available by clicking here (RealPlayer required):
"The Origins of language" Trailer