Sign Language: Koko The Gorilla

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If you know sign language, you can probably have a conversation with Koko the Gorilla. Koko’s real name is “Hanabiko,” the Japanese word for fireworks, because she was born on July 4th. However, most people refer to Koko by her nickname. Trainer Penny Patterson helped Koko learn how to communicate back when an gorilla was very young. Patterson had Koko listen to spoken English and watch sign language at the same time. As a result, Koko understands an variety of English words and can communicate with hand signs.

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