The throat and facial movements that allow our vocal cords to create words could be rooted in the well-meaning expressions primates exchange with each other.

The oral-facial component of human speech was found to mirror the rhythm, development and internal dynamics of lip-smacking, a friendly back-and-forth gesture performed by primates such as chimpanzees, baboons and macaques.

Further study into these facial mechanics could help illuminate the neurological basis of speech disorders in humans.