This article provides a comprehensive overview of human language, arguing that it is an innate human instinct rather than solely a learned skill. It explores evidence for this claim through the universality and complexity of language across diverse cultures, the spontaneous language development in children (even in the absence of formal instruction or complete linguistic input), and the biological basis of language revealed by genetic conditions and brain injuries. The text further discusses the relationship between language and thought, asserting that language does not entirely determine thought, as evidenced by non-verbal reasoning in infants and animals, and introduces the concept of a "mentalese" or mental language that underpins human cognition. Finally, it details the stages of language acquisition in children, emphasizing the importance of a suitable auditory environment and discussing factors like "motherese" and parental feedback, while also highlighting a critical period for language learning linked to brain development.

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