1. Lack of Scientific Rigor: Psammetichus's experiment lacked scientific rigor and was based on flawed methodology. He isolated two infants from human contact and placed them in the care of mute shepherds. The assumption was that the infants would naturally speak the "original" language if left to their own devices. However, this experiment is highly problematic:
* No control group: There was no control group for comparison, making it impossible to know if the infants' utterances were indeed a natural language or just babbling sounds.
* Influence of the shepherds: The shepherds, even if mute, would have still interacted with the infants, potentially influencing their vocalizations.
* Small sample size: Only two infants were involved, making the results statistically insignificant.
2. Lack of Historical Evidence: There is no historical or linguistic evidence to support the claim that Phrygian was the original human language. Languages evolve over time, and there is no way to determine which language was the first to be spoken.
3. The Origin of Language is Complex: The origin of language is a complex and multifaceted issue that involves biological, cognitive, and social factors. It is highly unlikely that a single language could be identified as the "original" language.
4. Linguistic Diversity: The world today boasts a staggering number of languages, each with its own unique history and development. This diversity suggests that languages evolved independently in different parts of the world, making it impossible to trace back to a single "original" language.
5. The "Original" Language is Theoretical: The very concept of an "original" human language is theoretical and not supported by scientific evidence. Languages are constantly evolving, and tracing back to a single origin is a speculative exercise.
Conclusion: Psammetichus's experiment, while intriguing, is not scientifically sound and lacks any supporting evidence. It is best to approach this claim with skepticism and recognize that the origin of human language is a much more complex and multifaceted issue.