http://news.yahoo.com/babel-ancient-mother-tongue-reconstructed-191035358.html
The part I find most interesting is that there is evidence of human civilization that predates the Biblical history of man.
Common Language - Interesting Article
by truth_b_known 1 Replies latest jw friends
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jgnat
Your comment brought a whole series of interrelated thoughts. I had read that perhaps the most ancient languages include whistles and clicks.
http://www.lemondesiffle.free.fr/projet/science/ELL34.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C7%83Xoon_language
Stephen Pinker postulates that all people have the instinct to develop language. There is a common syntax and grammar, even if it is reversed.
http://rickol.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/THE-LANGUAGE-INSTINCT.pdf
I've also read that it is a biological advantage to develop a separate language from one's neighbours, in order to hide information (favored hunting sites, watering holes).
Trying to find an ancient common language, I think, is a dead end. Even if we find the oldest language, it may only be the oldest surviving. For the reasons stated above, early tribes would be motivated to develop their own unique language/code separate from their neighbours. The Taa language described above is very complex, with perhaps the most consonants of any spoken language. Even so, there are two distinct dialects (those pesky spying neighbours again).