言語学者は、言語の起源についていまだ明確にできていない。いくつかの言語起源論を以下、集めてみた。
①ワンワン説(Bow-wow theory)：ヘルダーの言語起源論。初期の言葉は獣や鳥の鳴き声の模倣である。「モウ～」から"cow"（うし）、「ワオ～ン」から"wolf"（おおかみ）など。
②プープー説(Pooh-pooh theory)：最初の言葉は、苦痛、歓喜、驚愕など感情的な叫び・発声に由来する。爆笑から"laugh"、嫌う声から"hate"など。なお“pooh”は軽蔑して「ふん！」と言うこと。
③ドンドン説(Ding-Dong theory)：音響から自然物に関する語が出来た。「ピカッ！ゴロゴロ」から"thunder"（かみなり）、「ポタポタ」から"water"（みず）など。なお“ding-dong”は「キンコン」と言う鐘の音。
④エイヤコーラ説(Yo-he-ho theory、よいとまけ説)：集団でのリズミカルな労働、そのかけ声などから行動に関する語が出来た。例えば働く男たちが力を合わせようとして「ho」と叫んでいたのが“heave”(持ち上げる)へ。停止を促す声から"stop"（とまる）。実際、集団行動をとる時の意味の無いはやし歌が、世界各地に残っている。なお“yo-he-ho”(“yo-heave-ho”)は、いかりなどを巻き上げる時の水夫の掛け声。えんやこら!
⑤タータ説(Ta-ta theory、口身振り説)：1930年、パジェットの説。身体の動きと口・唇の動きの連動（身体動作に付随する無意味な発声）を言語の起源とする。“ta-ta”は「バイバイ！」の意味。
⑥ラララ説（sing-song theory）：イェスペルセンの説。遊び、笑い、求愛など情緒的な行動に伴ったある程度長い音楽的な発声が、言語の起源である。
It is said that Linguists are still not sure about the origin of languages. You gather several theories about this.
(1)Bow-wow theory: Johann Gottfried von Herder says that various words are derived from copying about crys of animals, songs of birds, and so on. For example, “cow”is derived from “moo”, and “wolf” from “howl”.
(2)Pooh-pooh theory: The first words are derived from emotional crys or voices when pain, delight, astonishment, etc are experienced. For example, “laugh” is derived from “haw-haw”, “hate” from “hush”. Cf. “pooh” is the voice showing contempt.
(3)Ding-Dong theory: The words indicating natural things are derived from the sounds of the latter. For example, “thunder” depicts the sound itself of thunder, and “water” is derived from “pitter patter”. Cf. “ding-dong” is the sounds of a bell.
(4) Yo-he-ho theory: Some words about behaviors are derived from rhythmical group works and various shouts of encouragement, and so on. For example, “heave”is derived from “ho”. Namely when men work together, they call out such a shout in order to make their power concentrate. “Stop” is derived from the shout to suspend the work. Really, so many songs that encourage works remain all over the world. They consist of meaningless voices. Cf. “yo-he-ho” (“yo-heave-ho”) is a shout of sailors when they heave up an anchor.
(5)Ta-ta theory: Sir Richard Paget says in 1930 as follows. The origin of words has the close connection between the movement of a body and that of mouth and lips. Namely words are derived from voices meaninglessly called out in connection to the movement of a body. Cf. “ta-ta” means “Bye-Bye”.
(6) Sing-song theory: J. O. H. Jespersen says as follows. The origin of words are derived from fairly long musical voices in connection to emotional behaviors such as playing, laughing, loving etc.
①ワンワン説(Bow-wow theory)：ヘルダーの言語起源論。初期の言葉は獣や鳥の鳴き声の模倣である。「モウ～」から"cow"（うし）、「ワオ～ン」から"wolf"（おおかみ）など。
②プープー説(Pooh-pooh theory)：最初の言葉は、苦痛、歓喜、驚愕など感情的な叫び・発声に由来する。爆笑から"laugh"、嫌う声から"hate"など。なお“pooh”は軽蔑して「ふん！」と言うこと。
③ドンドン説(Ding-Dong theory)：音響から自然物に関する語が出来た。「ピカッ！ゴロゴロ」から"thunder"（かみなり）、「ポタポタ」から"water"（みず）など。なお“ding-dong”は「キンコン」と言う鐘の音。
④エイヤコーラ説(Yo-he-ho theory、よいとまけ説)：集団でのリズミカルな労働、そのかけ声などから行動に関する語が出来た。例えば働く男たちが力を合わせようとして「ho」と叫んでいたのが“heave”(持ち上げる)へ。停止を促す声から"stop"（とまる）。実際、集団行動をとる時の意味の無いはやし歌が、世界各地に残っている。なお“yo-he-ho”(“yo-heave-ho”)は、いかりなどを巻き上げる時の水夫の掛け声。えんやこら!
⑤タータ説(Ta-ta theory、口身振り説)：1930年、パジェットの説。身体の動きと口・唇の動きの連動（身体動作に付随する無意味な発声）を言語の起源とする。“ta-ta”は「バイバイ！」の意味。
⑥ラララ説（sing-song theory）：イェスペルセンの説。遊び、笑い、求愛など情緒的な行動に伴ったある程度長い音楽的な発声が、言語の起源である。
It is said that Linguists are still not sure about the origin of languages. You gather several theories about this.
(1)Bow-wow theory: Johann Gottfried von Herder says that various words are derived from copying about crys of animals, songs of birds, and so on. For example, “cow”is derived from “moo”, and “wolf” from “howl”.
(2)Pooh-pooh theory: The first words are derived from emotional crys or voices when pain, delight, astonishment, etc are experienced. For example, “laugh” is derived from “haw-haw”, “hate” from “hush”. Cf. “pooh” is the voice showing contempt.
(3)Ding-Dong theory: The words indicating natural things are derived from the sounds of the latter. For example, “thunder” depicts the sound itself of thunder, and “water” is derived from “pitter patter”. Cf. “ding-dong” is the sounds of a bell.
(4) Yo-he-ho theory: Some words about behaviors are derived from rhythmical group works and various shouts of encouragement, and so on. For example, “heave”is derived from “ho”. Namely when men work together, they call out such a shout in order to make their power concentrate. “Stop” is derived from the shout to suspend the work. Really, so many songs that encourage works remain all over the world. They consist of meaningless voices. Cf. “yo-he-ho” (“yo-heave-ho”) is a shout of sailors when they heave up an anchor.
(5)Ta-ta theory: Sir Richard Paget says in 1930 as follows. The origin of words has the close connection between the movement of a body and that of mouth and lips. Namely words are derived from voices meaninglessly called out in connection to the movement of a body. Cf. “ta-ta” means “Bye-Bye”.
(6) Sing-song theory: J. O. H. Jespersen says as follows. The origin of words are derived from fairly long musical voices in connection to emotional behaviors such as playing, laughing, loving etc.
