The first human language was found in a cave in sub-Saharan Africa. Ala, having stubbed her toe on something hard, reached down to find a vessel hidden in the dust. With her finger she traced the pattern etched on the exterior—a line, scrolling and resolute, like the tracks of a grysbok.

Her fascination released a hidden genius. Language emerged like a quill of smoke from a distant fire. When she inhaled, it inhabited her. 

The first human utterance began ‘I wish.’ What followed gave birth to all that we now know of self, family, nation, world.

The original stone vessel has never been found. Some hopeful archaeologists believe it was not emptied when language was released on its unsuspecting host. These describe not a receptacle, but a light source: Ala’s lamp. Inside they believe can be found one last mystery, the wish before the wishing utterance, the desire of language itself.

Would you like to know more about this story? I discuss it in Episode 100 of Structured Visions, ‘Selfish wishes for social change’. You can also sign up to the Grammar for Dreamers newsletter to get monthly updates on the ideas that inspire my work.