Final answer:
Language and human symbolic culture facilitated critical processes in human development including the transmission of knowledge and cultural practices, creating a shared cultural memory, enabling innovation and adaptation. These capabilities were central to the survival of human societies, and they enhanced their ability to thrive in various environments.
Step-by-step explanation:
Regarding the development of language and human symbolic culture, these capabilities played a pivotal role in enabling processes that are fundamental to the evolution of human societies, such as transmission, memory, reiteration, innovation, and selection. Language provided a medium for the transfer of knowledge and cultural practices across generations, establishing a shared memory bank that can be continuously accessed and expanded. This allowed for the persistence and evolution of cultural norms, as well as the introduction and integration of new ideas. Human culture evolved through the accumulation of shared knowledge, beliefs and attitudes facilitated by the aptitude for language. These shared resources helped groups of humans to adapt and thrive in various environments leading to the diverse array of human cultures we see today.
Language served as the cornerstone for the development of complex tools, social structures, and collective learning, enhancing the survival and reproductive success of those who adeptly used it. The emergence of language marked a significant transition in human evolution creating a reciprocal system of biocultural coevolution with biology and culture progressing together. As humans developed more sophisticated ways of communicating, the scope and depth of their cultural expressions expanded influencing every aspect of their lives and allowing for remarkable adaptability to their surrounding environments.