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Why are human babies so reluctant to go to sleep? And I can see how different grunts could come to mean "bear", "deer" or "run", but how do grammatically complex languages get their cases and declensions?

23 December 2024

Side view of a funny cheerful baby girl wearing Santa hat, standing inside a crib in a room during Christmas time.

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Why are human babies so reluctant to go to sleep?

John Leonard,

Canberra, Australia

Krakow, Poland - 4 May 2024: Large old antique medieval book written in Latin gothic font, colorful illuminations object closeup museum exhibit, Dominican monastery Old religious books concept; Shutterstock ID 2516551261; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

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I can see how different grunts could come to mean “bear”, “deer” or “run”. But how do grammatically complex languages get their cases and declensions?

Peter Borrows,

Amersham, Buckinghamshire, UK

To answer this question – or ask a new one – email lastword@newscientist.com.

Questions should be scientific enquiries about everyday phenomena, and both questions and answers should be concise. We reserve the right to edit items for clarity and style. Please include a postal address, daytime telephone number and email address.

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