The 'language gene' research is obviously really interesting and exciting but it strikes me that the phrase 'language gene' causes a bit of a problem, since people discussing it have to spend a lot of time explaining that there isn't really one single gene that gives us language, etc. etc.
The gene we're talking about is called FOXP2. An error on FOXP2 causes a disorder which involves severe language problems. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute compared this gene in humans, chimps, gorillas, orang-utans, rhesus macaque monkeys and mice. They found slight changes in the gene which happened over time. So the assumption is that mutations in the human FOXP2 gene were important in the development of language.
Here are some links:
B-)
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