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    Fry's Planet Word

    Babel

    • Episode aired Sep 25, 2011
    • 1h
    IMDb RATING
    7.1/10
    18
    YOUR RATING
    S1.E1
    • S1
    • E1
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    • Cast & crew
    • IMDbPro
    Documentary

    In this first episode, Stephen seeks to uncover the origins of human language and how and why we are the only species on the planet to have this gift. From attempts to teach chimps to speak ... Read allIn this first episode, Stephen seeks to uncover the origins of human language and how and why we are the only species on the planet to have this gift. From attempts to teach chimps to speak to the so-called singing mice who have been given the human 'language gene', Stephen uncov... Read allIn this first episode, Stephen seeks to uncover the origins of human language and how and why we are the only species on the planet to have this gift. From attempts to teach chimps to speak to the so-called singing mice who have been given the human 'language gene', Stephen uncovers to what extent our brain is uniquely hard-wired for language. Watching how a child acq... Read all

    IMDb RATING
    7.1/10
    18
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • John-Paul Davidson
    • Writer
      • Stephen Fry
    • Stars
      • Stephen Fry
      • Jean Berko Gleason
      • Zaha Bustami
    Top credits
    • Director
      • John-Paul Davidson
    • Writer
      • Stephen Fry
    • Stars
      • Stephen Fry
      • Jean Berko Gleason
      • Zaha Bustami
    • See more at IMDbPro
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See production, box office & company info
  • Photos

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    Top cast

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    Stephen Fry
    Stephen Fry
    • Self - Presenteras Self - Presenter
    Jean Berko Gleason
    • Selfas Self
    Zaha Bustami
    • Self - Interpreter, United Nationsas Self - Interpreter, United Nations
    John-Paul Davidson
    • Dr. Itardas Dr. Itard
    Joe Devlin
    • Self - Wellcome Trustas Self - Wellcome Trust
    Wolfgang Enard
    • Self - Max Planck Instituteas Self - Max Planck Institute
    Wolfgang Klein
    • Self - Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguisticsas Self - Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics
    Robert McCrum
    • Selfas Self
    Steven Pinker
    Steven Pinker
    • Selfas Self
    Cathy Price
    • Self - Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimagingas Self - Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging
    Deb Roy
    • Self - Massachusetts Institute of Technologyas Self - Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    d'Armond Speers
    • Self - Klingon Language Instituteas Self - Klingon Language Institute
    Michael Tomasello
    • Self - Max Planck Instituteas Self - Max Planck Institute
    Hugh Laurie
    Hugh Laurie
    • Variousas Various
    • (archive footage)
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • John-Paul Davidson
    • Writer
      • Stephen Fry
    • All cast & crew
    See production, box office, & company info

    Storyline

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    In this first episode, Stephen seeks to uncover the origins of human language and how and why we are the only species on the planet to have this gift. From attempts to teach chimps to speak to the so-called singing mice who have been given the human 'language gene', Stephen uncovers to what extent our brain is uniquely hard-wired for language. Watching how a child acquires language, Stephen hears from psycholinguist Steven Pinker how grammar is an innate quality, yet still has to be nurtured. —Joyce M
    • Plot summary
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    • Genre
      • Documentary
    • Parents guide
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    Did you know

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    • Goofs
      In the beginning of the re-enactment of the feral child story, not only is the boy wearing clothes, but modern underwear as well.
    • Connections
      References A Bit of Fry and Laurie (1987)

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • September 25, 2011 (United Kingdom)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      • 1h

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