In "The Mother Tongue: English and How it Got That Way," Bill Bryson explores the fascinating interplay between evolution and language development. He discusses a significant evolutionary change that affected humans' anatomy, particularly the positioning of the larynx. This change, while introducing the risk of choking, was a crucial step that enabled humans to develop complex speech and articulate their thoughts more effectively.

This transformation highlights a remarkable trade-off in human evolution where the potential danger of choking was outweighed by the distinct advantage of sophisticated communication. Bryson's examination emphasizes how such a minor anatomical alteration can have profound implications for language and social interaction, shaping the very essence of what it means to be human.