A team of researchers has made significant strides in understanding the genetic underpinnings of spoken language. They have identified a specific gene, potentially linked to the evolution of human speech, that influences vocal communication. Notably, a variant of the NOVA1 splicing factor has shown to alter mouse vocalizations, suggesting that a single protein may have played a crucial role in the development of spoken language. This discovery not only sheds light on the genetic factors that contribute to the emergence of human speech but also raises intriguing questions about the evolutionary processes involved.