* Language is constantly evolving: Languages change over time, branching off into new dialects and languages. It's impossible to pinpoint a single origin.
* No written records: The earliest languages existed long before writing was invented. We can only infer and theorize about their nature based on archaeological evidence and language comparison.
* The "Proto-Language" Concept: Linguists have proposed a hypothetical ancestor to most modern languages, called Proto-Indo-European. This language, spoken around 4,500 years ago, has left a profound impact on many modern languages, including English, Spanish, Hindi, and Russian. However, even this is a reconstruction, not a definitive first language.
Think of it this way: Imagine a tree. The trunk represents a hypothetical ancestor, but the branches are the different languages that have evolved over time. Each branch has its own unique history and development.
Instead of searching for a single "first language," it's more accurate to think about the long and complex history of language evolution and the many fascinating connections between languages around the world.