Final answer:
Yes, written languages first arose to meet the needs of ancient state-level societies, such as those in southern Mesopotamia. These early writing systems, like cuneiform, were used for record-keeping, communication, and exercising power by the state. However, oral traditions were sufficient in agricultural societies without states.
Step-by-step explanation:
Yes, written languages first arose to meet the needs of ancient state-level societies. In southern Mesopotamia around 3400 BC, the earliest known writing emerged as a system of pictographs that eventually evolved into the cuneiform script. Writing was initially used to record languages like Sumerian and Akkadian, and it spread to other regions over the next two thousand years. In state-level societies, writing was essential for purposes such as record-keeping, communication with officials, and the exercise of power by the state. On the other hand, in agricultural societies without states, oral traditions often served the needs of the community.