Here is an interesting article on a gene which has been identified as an important factor in language development:
http://discovermagazine.com/2011/oct/08-the-brain-language-fossils-buried-in-your-cells/article_view?b_start:int=0&-C=I was a little frighted when the research was discussed regarding implanting mice with the human FOXP2 gene - looks like we could have a real life Stuart Little on our hands. Yikes.