While human beings generally consider themselves superior to animals due to our sophisticated use of language, there are several species of animal who use language that includes many properties linguists consider necessary to classify a system of communication as a language. Opinion between linguists varies considerably on what constitutes a language, but generally it is agreed that "A language consists of symbols that convey meaning, plus rules for combining those symbols, that can be used to generate an infinite variety of messages." (Weiten, 2008, p. 318.) While animal forms of communication may not be at the same level of complexity as human language, evidence shows that several methods of animal communication have many of the same attributes as human language and their methods suit their purposes for finding food, warning each other of predators and assisting in mating rituals. It is flawed reasoning to assume that because human language contains elements that are absent in animal communication that our language is superior to theirs. With this logic one could argue that bats are superior to humans due to their use of sonar locating, which is a biological impossibility for humans. While useful and necessary for bats, sonar is an ability that is not practical for humans and therefore is not a skill that has evolved in the human species. It is more likely that animal language is exactly as complex as is necessary for any given species and will evolve in the same way human language has to support the survival of each specie's specific needs. Nevertheless, several animal species have communication systems that include many of the same elements of human language. Two such animals are the Gunnison's prairie dog and the humpback wha...
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...sonable to assume that elements of animal language have evolved to allow for communication that facilitates the survival of each individual species, without elements that are unnecessary to their survival and procreation.
Works Cited
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“…animals, plants and even “inert” entities such as stones and rivers are perceived as being articulate and at times intelligible subjects, able to communicate and interact with humans for good or ill. In addition to human language, there is also the language of birds, the wind, earthworms, wolves and waterfalls – a world of autonomous speakers whose intents (especially for hunter-gatherer peoples) one ignores at one’s peril” (Manes 15).
2. Crutcher, Chris. Whale Talk. New York: Greenwillow, 2001. The Ohio Digital Library. Overdrive. Web. 13 Jan. 14. .
To fully grasp the importance of these elements, you need to have an understanding of Cormac McCarthy’s essay “The Kekulé Problem”. His piece delves into the origin of language, and the role the unconscious mind played in the development of language. The main point Cormac continually raises throughout his paper is that language did not fulfill a need. Thousands of other mammals
The prehistoric times stand evidence to the power of language as a tool for communication and growth. Language has proven to be an effective medium and factor surrounding the evolution of man. Language has played a big role in the development of individuals and societies. What is spoken and/or written, help in the initiation of imagination, expression of feelings, and conveyance of thoughts and ideas.
Snowdon, C. T., Brown, C. H., & Petersen, M. R. (1982). Primate communication. Cambridge [Cambridgeshire: Cambridge University Press].
Shirihai, H. and B. Jarrett (2006). Whales, Dolphins and Other Marine Mammals of the World. Princeton, Princeton University Press. p.185-188.
Prairie dogs are well known for being a “plague-ridden, land-destroying blight.” In “Denver’s Street-Smart Prairie Dogs,” Morgan Heim states, “... their tendency to chew down grass and create dusty, pock-marked landscapes in pastures, cropland and backyards.” This argues that prairie dogs disrupted ways are destroying our lands, and in order to protect our lands we need to exterminate them. Furthermore to this evidence, the text, “Prairie Dogs: A Threatened Species or Public Nuisance?” it also claims,
The origin of modern day whales, a mystery that has puzzled paleontologists for years, may have just been solved with the discovery of an ankle bone. This discovery might sound simple and unimportant, but the bones of these ancient animals hold many unanswered questions and provide solid proof of origin and behavior. The relationship between whales and other animals has proven to be difficult because whales are warm-blooded, like humans, yet they live in the sea. The fact that they are warm-blooded suggests that they are related to some type of land animal. However, the questions of exactly which animal, and how whales evolved from land to water, have remained unanswered until now.
The debate about whether or not apes can learn human language has been going on for many years. There is an overwhelming amount of research on the subject to support both sides. It should be understood however, that learning and understanding human language is not the same as speaking the language. Apes are unable to physically speak human language for several reasons. As noted on the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics website, “Unlike humans, apes lack the anatomical pre-requisites for verbal language production. The organs within the vocal tract, such as larynx muscles and vocal cords, cannot be moved as freely and coordinated as in humans, especially not at a comparable speed” (Bangle, “Questions and Answers”). With that said, I believe the research I found strongly supports that apes do have the capacity for learning and understanding human language. There have been numerous studies conducted in which apes have been taught to communicate using sign language. In the 1960’s a female chimpanzee named Washoe was taught the American Sign Language. Washoe was raised by researchers Allen and Beatrix Gardner and is believed to be the first chimpanzee to learn aspects of human language. The Gardners established Project Washoe to teach the chimpanzee American Sign Language. The National Geographic News reported that “For Washoe to be considered "reliable"
9. Research on the language capabilities of apes clearly demonstrates that they have the capacity to:
Language is commonly held to be the province of humans, but other inhabitants of earth possess their own forms of communication. Birds, dolphins, and whales are some of those that have a language. Primates also use vocal communication with each other. Their utterances have varied uses and volumes, with each primate’s voice being distinct just as human voices are. These unique calls have given researchers insight into the social workings of primate groups. The very fact that primates have a language offers insight into the evolution of language and calls into question what the term human truly means.
Killer whales communicate by a series of clicks and whistles called vocalization. Each pod, or family, has their own unique language. This gives whales the ability to identify their own pods. Orcas have a brain that is about five ti...
Those with better communication abilities had a significant advantage over those who did not. Language could have helped ensure survival of their current generation such as using vocalizations as a warning sign that an animal was attacking. For hunting, communication would add a level of organiz...
" Society & Animals 18.2 (2010): 183-203. Academic Search Premier -. EBSCO. Web. The Web. The Web.
Biological foundation of language may contribute significantly to such universality. The issue here is not whether language is innate, for, clearly, language must be learned. Nor is the issue whether the aptitude for learning a la...