According to a study, a number of words humans use today are strikingly similar to the linguistic patterns humanity used 15,000+ years ago, born from an Ice Age-era proto-language that has trickled down to a variety of modern languages.
Per The Washington Post:
The traditional view is that words can’t survive for more than 8,000 to 9,000 years. Evolution, linguistic “weathering” and the adoption of replacements from other languages eventually drive ancient words to extinction, just like the dinosaurs of the Jurassic era.
Except it turns out language is more like Jurassic Park, minus Sam Neil, Jeff Goldblum, or that little kid with a death wish aiming a flashlight at a T-Rex. Come on, kid, use your head--who does that?
Anywho, back to The Post:
A team of researchers has come up with a list of two dozen “ultraconserved words” that have survived 150 centuries. It includes some predictable entries: “mother,” “not,” “what,” “to hear” and “man.” It also contains surprises: “to flow,” “ashes” and “worm.”
Also making the list? The verb "to give," suggesting that--deep down--maybe humanity always has tried to be generous.
Except Ayn Rand. There was no saving her.
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