Ancient DNA Shared With Neanderthals May Help Explain Human Language
A new study finds the roots of language may lie not in special genes but in tiny regulatory “switches” — under 0.1% of the genome — some of which we share with Neanderthals.
A study suggests the foundations of human language may lie not in special genes, but in tiny genetic “switches” we partly share with Neanderthals.
The short version
- University of Iowa researchers found regulatory DNA regions — under 0.1% of the genome — that strongly influence language ability.
- These “switches” act like volume controls on genes involved in brain development, rather than genes themselves.
- Some of the regions are shared with Neanderthals, hinting language’s foundations are older than thought.
- The work connects to FOXP2 and Forkhead-box transcription factors long associated with speech.
Why it matters
Reframing language evolution around gene regulation, not just genes, changes how scientists study what made human speech possible in the first place.
Summary by Nerd News Network. Read the full article at ScienceDaily via the links above and below.