Languages Did Not Evolve
Proponents of microbes-to-man evolution have their naturalistic starting point for their presuppositions and the way they interpret evidence, and biblical creationists stand on the revelation of God's inerrant Word. Evolutionists have a simplistic view of the origin of language, which is essentially grunts and such to form words to communicate danger or various needs. Creationists believe that God created Adam and Eve as fully operational intelligent beings, which includes the ability to use languages. A serious examination of the languages after the confusion and dispersal at Babel strongly supports the creationary view.
A simple way to see that, contrary to evolutionary viewpoints, languages have become less complicated over time. Ever read a book from the 19th century or earlier? Literature from back then is often more elegant, with a richer vocabulary.
Let's take a look at how language and spelling has changed in a few English language Bibles.
Most Bible readers are comfortable with modern translations, and have to slow down to read their King James Version (most commonly, it is the 1769 version). The actual 1677 KJV is considerably different. Let's look at Genesis 11:8-9 in that version: "So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence, vpon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the Citie. Therefore is the name of it called Babel, because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad vpon the face of all the earth".
The Geneva Bible of 1587 gives us: "So ye Lord scattered them from thence vpon all the earth, & they left off to build the citie. Therefore the name of it was called Babel, because the Lorde did there confounde the language of all the earth: from thence then did the Lord scatter them vpon all the earth".
Moving back 1526 Tyndale version: "Thus ye LORde skatered them from thence vppon all the erth. And they left of to buylde the cyte. Wherfore the name of it is called Babell because that the LORDE there confounded the tonge of all the world. And because that the LORde from thence skatered them abrode vppon all the erth."
You can see some differences, but let's add one more, the Wycliffe Bible from the late 1300s: " And so the Lord departide hem fro that place in to alle londis; and thei cessiden to bielde a cytee. And therfor the name therof was clepid Babel, for the langage of al erthe was confoundide there; and fro thennus the Lord scaterede hem on the face of alle cuntrees".
Just for fun, you can see and hear the Old English Beowulf (from about 975-1025) at this link. I have no problem admitting that I need the translation. Was the Grendel dragon a dinosaur? Just wondering.
Enough with the English history, and let's dig a bit deeper into languages themselves. There are language groups. Some of the ancient texts are exceptionally complex and difficult to categorize, let alone, translate. Ancient languages have deteriorated over the years (there are marked difference between New Testament koine Greek and modern Greek, including subtleties and tenses). Some languages have ceased to exist, which increases the difficulties of translation.
There is no evidence that languages evolved, conjectures presented as science notwithstanding. Actually, languages have devolved.
 |
| Credit: Pixabay / Roger Casco Herrera |
Let's take a look at how language and spelling has changed in a few English language Bibles.
Most Bible readers are comfortable with modern translations, and have to slow down to read their King James Version (most commonly, it is the 1769 version). The actual 1677 KJV is considerably different. Let's look at Genesis 11:8-9 in that version: "So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence, vpon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the Citie. Therefore is the name of it called Babel, because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad vpon the face of all the earth".
The Geneva Bible of 1587 gives us: "So ye Lord scattered them from thence vpon all the earth, & they left off to build the citie. Therefore the name of it was called Babel, because the Lorde did there confounde the language of all the earth: from thence then did the Lord scatter them vpon all the earth".
Moving back 1526 Tyndale version: "Thus ye LORde skatered them from thence vppon all the erth. And they left of to buylde the cyte. Wherfore the name of it is called Babell because that the LORDE there confounded the tonge of all the world. And because that the LORde from thence skatered them abrode vppon all the erth."
You can see some differences, but let's add one more, the Wycliffe Bible from the late 1300s: " And so the Lord departide hem fro that place in to alle londis; and thei cessiden to bielde a cytee. And therfor the name therof was clepid Babel, for the langage of al erthe was confoundide there; and fro thennus the Lord scaterede hem on the face of alle cuntrees".
Just for fun, you can see and hear the Old English Beowulf (from about 975-1025) at this link. I have no problem admitting that I need the translation. Was the Grendel dragon a dinosaur? Just wondering.
Enough with the English history, and let's dig a bit deeper into languages themselves. There are language groups. Some of the ancient texts are exceptionally complex and difficult to categorize, let alone, translate. Ancient languages have deteriorated over the years (there are marked difference between New Testament koine Greek and modern Greek, including subtleties and tenses). Some languages have ceased to exist, which increases the difficulties of translation.
There is no evidence that languages evolved, conjectures presented as science notwithstanding. Actually, languages have devolved.
Evolutionary theory, when applied to origins of language, fails utterly to explain the phenomena of original complexity, subsequent loss and degeneration, and the array of unrelated languages in antiquity that even now are only partially understood due to that complexity. It is here contended that only a biblical approach can explain the complicated grammar, morphology, phonetics and syntax found in ancient texts. From what we in fact find from these texts, and because these phenomena could not arise spontaneously or gradually, a supernatural interruption near the beginning of post-diluvian history is the only explanation. The supernatural interruption which created these many complex languages is precisely what is related in Genesis 11:1–9.To read the entire article (which I think may take the average reader about 45 minutes, so make yourself comfortable), click on "Languages of the post-Diluvian World". Also, for an article on using language as evidence for God's existence, click on "Language Itself Testifies of the Creator".