University of Nueva Caceres
J. Hernandez Ave, Naga Camarines Sur
S//Y 2024-2025
Introduction to Linguistics
By Cordez, Isabella Mischa M.
2nd Year BSED Major in English
The Five Theories On The Origins Of Language
The Bow-Wow Theory This theory explains how language began when our ancestors
started imitating the natural sounds around them. The first
speech was onomatopoeic or echoic words such as moo, meow,
splash, cuckoo, and bang.
Example:
The child tried to imitate a duck and said “quack” in his school
play.
The Ding-Dong Theory The theory explains the fundamental characteristics of objects
in the environment that gave rise to speech. It is said that the
first sounds humans made were in tune with their surroundings.
Example:
Joe heard a building that is being demolished and he said it
went like boom!
The La-La Theory This theory suggests that Language evolved from the sounds
associated with love, play, and singing.
Example:
Ella received some chocolates from his favorite person. It made
her really delighted that she started to hum all the way to her
house.
The Pooh-Pooh Theory In this Theory, communication began with interjections or
spontaneous exclamations of pain (ouch!), surprise (Oh!), and
other emotions (Yabba dabba do!) that express emotion by
emitting expressive sounds
Example:
Max creeped onto his classmate to surprise him but his
J. Hernandez Ave, Naga Camarines Sur
S//Y 2024-2025
Introduction to Linguistics
By Cordez, Isabella Mischa M.
2nd Year BSED Major in English
The Five Theories On The Origins Of Language
The Bow-Wow Theory This theory explains how language began when our ancestors
started imitating the natural sounds around them. The first
speech was onomatopoeic or echoic words such as moo, meow,
splash, cuckoo, and bang.
Example:
The child tried to imitate a duck and said “quack” in his school
play.
The Ding-Dong Theory The theory explains the fundamental characteristics of objects
in the environment that gave rise to speech. It is said that the
first sounds humans made were in tune with their surroundings.
Example:
Joe heard a building that is being demolished and he said it
went like boom!
The La-La Theory This theory suggests that Language evolved from the sounds
associated with love, play, and singing.
Example:
Ella received some chocolates from his favorite person. It made
her really delighted that she started to hum all the way to her
house.
The Pooh-Pooh Theory In this Theory, communication began with interjections or
spontaneous exclamations of pain (ouch!), surprise (Oh!), and
other emotions (Yabba dabba do!) that express emotion by
emitting expressive sounds
Example:
Max creeped onto his classmate to surprise him but his
