Final answer:
Language is essential to the development of human characteristics and culture, as it enables the sharing of knowledge and is foundational in accumulating shared human culture. Morality and moral development are also important but are facilitated by the presence of language. Language has played a central role in the creation and evolution of diverse human cultures.
Step-by-step explanation:
Language is essential to the development of human characteristics and culture. The capacity for language is a distinctive biological attribute that has enabled humankind to invent, memorize, and communicate through symbolic spoken words. It's through language that humans have been able to share knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes, which together create the foundation of human culture. This includes both material culture, such as the use of tangible objects, and non-material culture, which encompasses beliefs, values, and norms. Moreover, language is a social creation integral to how we define ourselves and understand our place in society. Meanwhile, morality and moral development contribute to how humans behave toward one another in a society. Human beings are social animals whose societies are structured by moral codes and ethics, and these societal constructs facilitate communal living and social harmony. Thus, while morality is important, it is the aptitude for language that has been fundamental in accumulating shared human culture. Moral reasoning and ethical thinking are aspects that grow alongside the development of language and culture, influencing personal development and social interactions. Yet, it is the ability to communicate through language that has been pivotal in transmitting and evolving human culture across generations and geographical expanses, leading to the diverse cultures seen worldwide.