A gene to say it

inherited speech

At the beginning of the 1990s, scientists discovered a family which presented the same speech impediments, generation after generation: i.e. problems in forming words but also in grasping grammar and writing. This proved that language has a genetic component. But which?

the language gene

Language will never be driven by one sole component. It is far too complex a process. But scientists have discovered one gene – known as FOXP2 – that has a direct role in it. Surprisingly though, this gene does not only belong to humans. It is also found in many other species, such as monkeys, birds and reptiles.

looking for similarities to understand the differences

How do we know that this particular gene exists in so many different species?

Thanks to a bioinformatics tool – known as BLAST for Basic Local Alignment Search Tool – that scientists worldwide use to compare the sequences of genes or proteins from different species. In this way, it became apparent that FOXP2 is found in many species and that other genes are present in species as distant as bacteria and humans!!

a communicative gene

BLAST demonstrated that FOXP2 is not only found in humans. As a consequence, speech must depend on other factors. This said, FOXP2 certainly seems to have an important role in the art of communication.

Indeed, the gene is expressed when young birds are learning how to sing for example, and its expression varies depending on whether an adult male is singing for its own pleasure or to seduce…