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34 [thirty-four]

On the train

34 [thirty-four]	On the train

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The development of language

Why we speak with each other is clear. We want to exchange ideas and understand each other. How exactly language originated, on the other hand, is less clear. Various theories exist about this. What's certain is that language is a very old phenomenon. Certain physical traits were a prerequisite for speaking. They were necessary in order for us to form sounds. People as far back as the Neanderthals had the ability to apply their voice. In this way, they could distinguish themselves from animals. Additionally, a loud, firm voice was important for defense. A person could threaten or frighten enemies with it. Back then, tools had already been made and fire had been discovered. This knowledge had to be passed along somehow. Speech was also important for hunting in groups. As early as 2 million years ago there was a simple understanding among people. The first linguistic elements were signs and gestures. But people wanted to be able to communicate in the dark too. More importantly, they also had the need to talk to each other without looking. Therefore, the voice developed, and it replaced the gestures. Language in today's sense is at least 50,000 years old. When Homo sapiens left Africa, they distributed language around the world. The languages separated from each other in the different regions. That is to say, various language families came into being. However, they only contained the fundamentals of language systems. The first languages were much less complex than languages today. They were further developed through grammar, phonology and semantics. It could be said that different languages have different solutions. But the problem was always the same: How do I show what I'm thinking?

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Is that the train to Berlin?	I_ t_a_ t_e t_a_n t_ B_r_i_? Is that the train to Berlin? I_ t___ t__ t____ t_ B______ Is that the train to Berlin? __ ____ ___ _____ __ _______ Is that the train to Berlin?
When does the train leave?	W_e_ d_e_ t_e t_a_n l_a_e_ When does the train leave? W___ d___ t__ t____ l_____ When does the train leave? ____ ____ ___ _____ ______ When does the train leave?
When does the train arrive in Berlin?	W_e_ d_e_ t_e t_a_n a_r_v_ i_ B_r_i_? When does the train arrive in Berlin? W___ d___ t__ t____ a_____ i_ B______ When does the train arrive in Berlin? ____ ____ ___ _____ ______ __ _______ When does the train arrive in Berlin?

Excuse me, may I pass?	E_c_s_ m_, m_y I p_s_? Excuse me, may I pass? E_____ m__ m__ I p____ Excuse me, may I pass? ______ ___ ___ _ _____ Excuse me, may I pass?
I think this is my seat.	I t_i_k t_i_ i_ m_ s_a_. I think this is my seat. I t____ t___ i_ m_ s____ I think this is my seat. _ _____ ____ __ __ _____ I think this is my seat.
I think you’re sitting in my seat.	I t_i_k y_u_r_ s_t_i_g i_ m_ s_a_. I think you’re sitting in my seat. I t____ y_____ s______ i_ m_ s____ I think you’re sitting in my seat. _ _____ ______ _______ __ __ _____ I think you’re sitting in my seat.

Where is the sleeper?	W_e_e i_ t_e s_e_p_r_ Where is the sleeper? W____ i_ t__ s_______ Where is the sleeper? _____ __ ___ ________ Where is the sleeper?
The sleeper is at the end of the train.	T_e s_e_p_r i_ a_ t_e e_d o_ t_e t_a_n_ The sleeper is at the end of the train. T__ s______ i_ a_ t__ e__ o_ t__ t_____ The sleeper is at the end of the train. ___ _______ __ __ ___ ___ __ ___ ______ The sleeper is at the end of the train.
And where is the dining car? – At the front.	A_d w_e_e i_ t_e d_n_n_ c_r_ – A_ t_e f_o_t_ And where is the dining car? – At the front. A__ w____ i_ t__ d_____ c___ – A_ t__ f_____ And where is the dining car? – At the front. ___ _____ __ ___ ______ ____ _ __ ___ ______ And where is the dining car? – At the front.

Can I sleep below?	C_n I s_e_p b_l_w_ Can I sleep below? C__ I s____ b_____ Can I sleep below? ___ _ _____ ______ Can I sleep below?
Can I sleep in the middle?	C_n I s_e_p i_ t_e m_d_l_? Can I sleep in the middle? C__ I s____ i_ t__ m______ Can I sleep in the middle? ___ _ _____ __ ___ _______ Can I sleep in the middle?
Can I sleep at the top?	C_n I s_e_p a_ t_e t_p_ Can I sleep at the top? C__ I s____ a_ t__ t___ Can I sleep at the top? ___ _ _____ __ ___ ____ Can I sleep at the top?

When will we get to the border?	W_e_ w_l_ w_ g_t t_ t_e b_r_e_? When will we get to the border? W___ w___ w_ g__ t_ t__ b______ When will we get to the border? ____ ____ __ ___ __ ___ _______ When will we get to the border?
How long does the journey to Berlin take?	H_w l_n_ d_e_ t_e j_u_n_y t_ B_r_i_ t_k_? How long does the journey to Berlin take? H__ l___ d___ t__ j______ t_ B_____ t____ How long does the journey to Berlin take? ___ ____ ____ ___ _______ __ ______ _____ How long does the journey to Berlin take?
Is the train delayed?	I_ t_e t_a_n d_l_y_d_ Is the train delayed? I_ t__ t____ d_______ Is the train delayed? __ ___ _____ ________ Is the train delayed?

Do you have something to read?	D_ y_u h_v_ s_m_t_i_g t_ r_a_? Do you have something to read? D_ y__ h___ s________ t_ r____ Do you have something to read? __ ___ ____ _________ __ _____ Do you have something to read?
Can one get something to eat and to drink here?	C_n o_e g_t s_m_t_i_g t_ e_t a_d t_ d_i_k h_r_? Can one get something to eat and to drink here? C__ o__ g__ s________ t_ e__ a__ t_ d____ h____ Can one get something to eat and to drink here? ___ ___ ___ _________ __ ___ ___ __ _____ _____ Can one get something to eat and to drink here?
Could you please wake me up at 7 o’clock?	C_u_d y_u p_e_s_ w_k_ m_ u_ a_ 7 o_c_o_k_ Could you please wake me up at 7 o’clock? C____ y__ p_____ w___ m_ u_ a_ 7 o_______ Could you please wake me up at 7 o’clock? _____ ___ ______ ____ __ __ __ _ ________ Could you please wake me up at 7 o’clock?

Phrasebook

The development of language

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