protolinguistics
/ˌprəʊtə(ʊ)lɪŋˈɡwɪstɪks/noun
The branch of linguistics that deals with the development of language from non-verbal communication; the study of proto-languages. Also (occasionally): an early form of linguistics.
Origin
1970s; earliest use found in Language. From proto- + linguistic, after protolinguistic.