Skip to main content
Skip to search
Ideas change everything
WATCH
TED Talks
Browse the library of TED talks and speakers
Playlists
100+ collections of TED Talks, for curious minds
TED Series
Go deeper into fascinating topics with original video series from TED
TED-Ed videos
Watch, share and create lessons with TED-Ed
TEDx Talks
Talks from independently organized local events
DISCOVER
Topics
Explore TED offerings by topic
Podcasts
Explore the TED Audio Collective
Ideas Blog
Our daily coverage of the world of ideas
Newsletters
Inspiration delivered straight to your inbox
ATTEND
Conferences
Take part in our events: TED, TEDGlobal and more
TEDx Events
Find and attend local, independently organized events
TED on Screen
Experience TED from home
TED Courses
Learn from TED speakers who expand on their world-changing ideas
PARTICIPATE
Nominate
Recommend speakers, TED Prize recipients, Fellows and more
Organize a local TEDx Event
Rules and resources to help you plan a local TEDx event
Translate
Bring TED to the non-English speaking world
TED Fellows
Join or support innovators from around the globe
ABOUT
Our Organization
Our mission, history, team, and more
Conferences
TED Conferences, past, present, and future
Programs & Initiatives
Details about TED's world-changing initiatives
Partner with TED
Learn how you can partner with us
TED Blog
Updates from TED and highlights from our global community
SIGN IN
MEMBERSHIP
Type to search
How language transformed humanity
1,946,934 views |
Mark Pagel |
TEDGlobal 2011
• July 2011
Read transcript
Biologist Mark Pagel shares an intriguing theory about why humans evolved our complex system of language. He suggests that language is a piece of "social technology" that allowed early human tribes to access a powerful new tool: cooperation.
culture
science
evolution
biology
communication
language
TED is supported by ads and partners
