The first language spoken is a matter of debate, as there is no clear consensus on the exact origin of language. It is generally believed that the earliest known language is Proto-Indo-European, which is estimated to have been spoken around 6,000 to 8,000 years ago. Other early language families include Afro-Asiatic, Dravidian, Uralic, and Sino-Tibetan.
Proto-Indo-European
Proto-Indo-European is believed to be the ancestor of modern languages such as English, French, Spanish, and German. It is believed to have been spoken in the Eurasian steppes, which were located between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. It is also associated with the spread of agriculture from the Near East.
Afro-Asiatic
Afro-Asiatic is a language family that includes languages from North Africa, the Horn of Africa, and the Near East. This family includes languages such as Arabic, Berber, Hebrew, and Ge'ez. It is believed to have originated in the Middle East and spread to North Africa and the Horn of Africa.
Dravidian
Dravidian is a language family that includes languages spoken in South India and Sri Lanka. It is believed to have originated in the Indian subcontinent, and its speakers are believed to have migrated to the south of the region. It includes languages such as Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam.
Uralic
Uralic is a language family that includes languages spoken in Northern Europe and Siberia. Its speakers are believed to have migrated from the Ural Mountains and the Volga River region. It includes languages such as Finnish, Estonian, Hungarian, and Sami.
Sino-Tibetan
Sino-Tibetan is a language family that includes languages spoken in China, Tibet, and Southeast Asia. It is believed to have originated in the Yellow River Valley and spread to Southeast Asia. It includes languages such as Mandarin, Cantonese, Burmese, and Tibetan.