how did people name words or things?

Answer 1

Language is organic. It moves and lives and breathes and changes constantly to keep up with the constant reality of change in our societies and environments. New words appear with new ideas, such as "Yahoo!!" Try to look up the word "quantum" in a dictionary older than ten years. The field of study that examines word origins is called "etymology". Also, in a good dictionary, right after each word listing, there should be a brief etymological history mentioned for the word. I learn a lot reading those.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etymology

Answer 2

For a complete answer on this it's probably best to go to the wiki article. An excerpt:

We know that, at least once during human evolution, a system of verbal communication emerged from proto-linguistic (something resembling communication) or non-linguistic (grunts, etc.) means of communication, but beyond that little can be said. No current human group, anywhere, speaks a "primitive" or rudimentary language.

While existing languages differ in the size and subjects covered in their several lexicons (collection of words), all human languages possess the grammar and syntax needed, and can invent, translate, or borrow the vocabulary needed to express the full range of their speakers' concepts.

Answer 3

The fact is that the development of human language was a gradual evolutionary process. From body language came gesture, from gesture came sign language, from sign language came vocal language complete with grammar - each step more abstract and efficient than the next. The problem of language origins is mirrored by a similar problem of human origins. We may draw from the advances in understanding in genetics and anthropology to arrive at some important and similar revelations about language. Language must have had an "Eve" (like the mitochondrial Eve in human genetics) but Eve no doubt had many siblings whose descendants would not survive to the present day as Eve's did. We see the loss of Neanderthals and CroMagnons in the human species just as we see the loss of Hittite and Sumerian in the inventory of human languages. The problem is the same, as is the solution.

Answer 4

well, many words came from other languages. they slowly evolved over time as a means for humans to communicate with each other. same way out languages evolve.

Answer 5

I too had this question in my mind since childhood..

Answer 6

i guess god chose to..
i dont noe y