Which of the following best explains the difference between two predominant theories of the origins of language?

Question

A: most linguists believe that current languages have shared roots, while Quentin Atkinson believes they developed individually in isolation

B: most linguists believe that languages primarily developed in isolation, while Quentin Atkinson believes they developed in superfamilies.

C: some linguists believe that all languages came from indo-european, while Quentin Atkinson believes that they stemmed from African linguists

D: some lin guists believe that current languages were once joined in superfamilies, while Quentin Atkinson believes that all languages can ultimately be traced to Africa

E: all linguists believe that current languages belong to the same superfamily, while Quentin Atkinson believes that they all belong to different families of African languages

Answer 1

The best explanation of the difference between two predominant theories of the origins of language among the options provided is:

D: some linguists believe that current languages were once joined in superfamilies, while Quentin Atkinson believes that all languages can ultimately be traced to Africa.

This option effectively highlights the contrast between those who view languages as having evolved from shared superfamilies and Atkinson's view that they can be traced back to a specific African origin.