A Thesis Submitted to the Department of Language and Linguistics
Institution
Light & Composition University
Date of Submission
July 2020
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Linguistics
Email: nasrul.eam@gmail.com
Web: https://www.lightandcomposition.com/professionals/nasrul-eam/
Twitter: https://x.com/NasrulEam
Supervisor
Prof. Jim Perceval
Dr. Habib Chowdhury
This thesis investigates the origin and structural development of language through a semantic and symbolic analysis of ancient texts, with emphasis on recurring linguistic frameworks that underpin meaning across eras. Rather than relying on traditional narratives, the study applies a comparative and structural methodology to identify how meaning is encoded, transferred, and diversified. It further argues that linguistic fragments, when systematically analyzed, reveal underlying principles of knowledge organization and meaning-making that extend beyond conventional cultural or religious interpretation.
The findings demonstrate that language did not emerge randomly, but follows a pattern of structured transmission, reorganization, and contextual adaptation. This structured nature explains why certain symbolic systems maintain coherence across time while others fragment or evolve into derivative forms. The research highlights that the origin of language is best understood not as a single historical event, but as a continuous process of meaning preservation and diversification, grounded in human cognition and symbolic reasoning.
The Origin of Language examines how human communication began not as arbitrary sound, but as a structured process of naming and categorization. This research argues that naming was the first cognitive act that transformed perception into symbolic meaning, providing humans with a method to map and navigate existence. By assigning names to entities, relations, and concepts, early humans created the foundations for memory, knowledge transfer, and collective reasoning.
Building on this cognitive foundation, the thesis investigates the structural development of language through semantic and symbolic analysis. Ancient textual traditions are studied as linguistic archives that preserve recurring frameworks of meaning across eras. The research highlights how fragments of language, when systematically analyzed, reveal universal principles of organization that transcend cultural or religious boundaries. These principles demonstrate that language evolved through structured transmission, reorganization, and diversification, ensuring coherence across generations while also allowing adaptive change.
The study positions language as a continuous process rather than a singular historical event. It emphasizes that the origin of language is inseparable from the act of naming and from the structural mechanisms that preserve meaning. By integrating cognitive science, linguistics, and textual analysis, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of how language both shapes and reflects human cognition, identity, and social cohesion.
Abstract
Description of Study
Chapter 1 – Introduction
1.1 Background of the Study
1.2 Problem Statement
1.3 Objectives of the Research
1.4 Significance of the Study
1.5 Methodology and Approach
1.6 Structure of the Thesis
Chapter 2 – Literature Review
2.1 Classical Theories on the Origin of Language
2.2 Structuralist and Post-Structuralist Approaches
2.3 Semiotic and Symbolic Perspectives
2.4 Cognitive Science and Language Development
2.5 Gaps in Existing Research
Chapter 3 – Theoretical Framework
3.1 Language as a System of Meaning Transmission
3.2 Textual Units: Fragments, Pages, and Writings
3.3 Patterns of Substitution and Alignment
3.4 Inspiration, Cognition, and Perception in Language
3.5 Symbolic Preservation of Knowledge
Chapter 4 – Methodology
4.1 Data Sources and Textual Basis
4.2 Analytical Method (Comparative and Structural)
4.3 Semantic Mapping and Classification
4.4 Substitution of Units (Word-to-Word, Verse-to-Verse)
4.5 Reliability, Limitations, and Scope
Chapter 5 – Findings and Analysis
5.1 Evidence of Structured Transmission in Textual Units
5.2 Diversification of Meaning Across Contexts
5.3 Continuity and Renewal of Knowledge Structures
5.4 The Role of Cognitive Perception in Meaning Construction
5.5 Reorganizing Textual Sequences for Coherence
Chapter 6 – Discussion
6.1 Reinterpreting the “Origin of Language” as a Process
6.2 Implications for Semiotics and Linguistics
6.3 Challenging Traditional Narratives of Language Development
6.4 Integration with Cognitive and Philosophical Perspectives
6.5 Potential for Future Research Directions
Chapter 7 – Conclusion
7.1 Summary of Findings
7.2 Contributions to the Field of Linguistics
7.3 Limitations of the Research
7.4 Recommendations for Further Study
References
Appendices
• Appendix A: Full lexical tables (word-by-word)
• Appendix B: Root analysis datasets (CSV/XLS)
• Appendix C: Alignment matrices and sample pairings
• Appendix D: Code snippets / scripts used for mapping (if any)
• Appendix E: Reproducibility checklist and data availability statement
A Homeless on the Sidewalk by Jose Juniel Rivera-Negron