# Why language is humanity's greatest invention

- Institution: TED
- Department: TEDxBerkeley
- Speaker: David Peterson
- Year: 2019
- Level: For everyone
- Language: English
- Subjects: Literature and writing, Languages and linguistics, Art, architecture and design
- Source: [TED](https://www.ted.com/talks/david_peterson_why_language_is_humanity_s_greatest_invention)
- Licence: [CC BY-NC-ND 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/) (Non-commercial use only, and no changed versions.)
- Who can watch: Teens profiles and older (sources give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the source's own words)

Civilization rests upon the existence of language, says language creator David Peterson. In a talk that's equal parts passionate and hilarious, he shows how studying, preserving and inventing new languages helps us understand our collective humanity -- and gives a quick lesson on High Valyrian, one of two languages he created for "Game of Thrones" (along with Dothraki). "Language is not merely a tool," he says. "It is our legacy, it's our way of conveying what it means to be human."

## Lectures

1. [Why language is humanity's greatest invention](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/ted/david_peterson_why_language_is_humanity_s_greatest_invention/07757fec2508), 15 min (TED's player)