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" …show more content…
Psychologist Steven Pinker is one of these critics. Pinker has said “No chimpanzee has learned sign language..... They’ve certainly learned some gestures, but sign language is not just a system of gestures. It’s a full, grammatical language with its own systematic grammar, like Latin” (Hart, “Apes and Human Language”). Many other researchers simply do not agree that animals using symbols and signs constitute human language. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics support this
He claimed that since chimpanzees naturally used a gestural form of communication it made sense that they would also be able to learn sign language. Gestural forms of communication would have likely been used by our common ancestor as well. However, once the larynx migrated in our throat, and our tongues became more mobile, it allowed us to create complex sounds for spoken language. Evolutionarily speaking, these traits were likely selected for genetic changes to better our language skills to survive. The ability to exchange ideas provides greater
After watching The Planet of the Apes, everyone seemed to leave the movie with a message in mind. Be it the controversial subject matter of Science vs. Religion, animal cruelty, or the cries of the extremeness of war and nuclear weapons. The makers of this film clearly felt the importance of illustrating to the viewers how unjust this society of “superior” apes were towards the humans. It allows the viewer to leave the movie thinking about our own society, and the similarities in how certain people have been severely mistreated here in America.
Do non-human primates have communication, language, both, or neither? By definition, communication is the imparting or interchange of thoughts, opinions, or information (Snowdon). Communication is very closely related to social behavior since they are both referring to the ways animals interact with each other (Quiatt and Reynolds 1993). Conversely, language is defined as a system of communication using sounds or gestures that are put together in meaningful ways according to a set of rules (Haviland et al. 2010). Non-human primates and human primates are similar in many ways, and communication is no exception. They both have various types of communication senses and styles. Human primate communication senses consist of sight, smell, taste, hearing, and touch. Non-human primates mainly understand the world through sight, but smell, taste, and hearing are important as well (Quiatt and Reynolds 1993). Human primates are capable of speaking a language, while non-human primates use different vocal calls to communicate. In essence, the difference is simple, human primates have language while non-human primates do not. Even though non-human primates do not have language, they do have communication.
“Koko the 300-pound gorilla who was taught sign language and mastered more than 1,000 signs and understand several thousand English words.” (Rifkin 8). This shows that not only humans could learn things but also animals. What makes you think he doesn’t
Sign language is a natural human language, they have their own vocabularies and sentence structures. Sign language comes into practice wherever Deaf societies come into existence. Sign language is not identical worldwide; every country has its own language and accents; however, these are not the verbal or transcribed languages used by hearing individuals around them.
I suggest there be larger sample sizes and that all participants be randomly assigned to experimental groups. Not only would this help show empirical support, but results could then be generalized beyond the experiments. Longitudinal data should also be recorded in order to measure the long term effects of teaching children sign language or symbolic gestures, especially as it relates to development of language. If there more longitudinal data becomes available to analyze, then parents and educators could be better informed when making the decision use baby sign language or not. Also, there needs to be a more diverse sample of participants. Many studies only included with middle class parents. Since there is no evidence of harm to children with the use o baby sign language, I believe it is a useful communication tool.
Apes, gibbons, monkeys, tarsiers, lemurs, and lorises make up the diverse and beautiful world of primates. We humans are primates, and there are more 300 species of primates in the world. The smallest primate is the pygmy mouse lemur, which can fit in the palm of your hand. The largest—the gorilla—can weigh more than 400 pounds. Almost every primate species is endangered, and the overhunting and forest devastation has brought some species to within a few dozen heads of final extinction.
Project Nim is a documentary about an experiment that took place in the 1970’s. This certain experiment was created to test whether or not animals other than humans would be able to learn and use language in the same way that human beings can. It was focused around a chimpanzee named Nim, and was led by a man named Herbert Terrace. Nim was brought into a loving family home, and he was raised as if he were a new member of the family. Terrace, himself later concluded that the experiment did not turn out the way that he had predicted. There are multiple instances in the film Project Nim that show Nim “understanding” and responding to American Sign Language. While this was fascinating to witness, there is no way to prove whether or not he was comprehending the signs, or just reacting in the way that he was taught to respond. This is where
General Introduction: One of the basic needs that almost every mammal or an animal needs to fulfill is to procreate. The only way in nature is to have sex, and for most animals sex only serves that function. However, one well-known exception is the use of sex in bonobo primates. The function of sex varies from reproduction to conflict resolution and as a means to strengthen bonds (Lanting 1997).
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.
Animals and humans are able to communicate nonverbally with sign language, hand motions, or body language. “Bees communicate the location of pollen to other bees in the hive by dancing” (Doc 2). Honey bees have two dances, a circular dance, and a tail wagging dance (Doc 2). Bees are able to tell other bees where to find pollen by making gestures or “dancing”, similar to how human can communicate with gestures and sign language. Chimps can't talk because they have a thin tongue and a high vocal box, however, humans have been able to communicate by teaching them sign language (Doc 6). Koko, a gorilla knows about one-thousand American sign language signs (Doc 6). Although Koko can't talk, she like deaf or nonverbal people, is able
Monkey see, monkey do. Apes have always been thought to have an increased level of intelligence. Over the years, researchers have attempted to understand the degree of intelligence these primates possess. However, it is essential to understand the definition of intelligence in order to determine the amount of intelligence primates have. Intelligence is the capability of obtaining knowledge and being able to utilize it in everyday situations. There are many hypotheses that focus on the evolution of intelligence in primates that view a number of factors including brain size and modernism. Primate intelligence has been a topic of interest to many because it will allow us to further understand the close relationship between humans and primates. Additionally, we will be able to understand the difference between human and primate cognition. Some studies suggest that the human and primate brains possess many similarities. This demonstrates why primates tend to respond to stimuli in a manner that is closely related to humans. Researchers have conducted a number of studies in an effort to understand primate cognition.
In general, sign language—as defined by the Encyclopedia Britannica as “any means of communication through bodily movements … used when spoken communication is impossible or not desirable”—has been used by dozens of cultures for ages, but American Sign Language (ASL) is fairly new. The Native Americans hold one of the earliest records of sign language with their ancient system of communication using signs to converse and break “language barriers” between tribes who spoke different dialects (American). Because many of their cultures were so intertwined with various “shared elements,” the Indians were able to devise “common symbols” to communicate with each other without the use of formal interpreters (American). Across the sea, Juan Pablo de Bonet of Spain was conducting his own research of sign language for the deaf and published the first documentation of a manual alphabet in 1620 (Butterworth). Before ...
In conclusion American Sign Language can be debates as either a foreign language or not. I believe that American Sign Language should be officially considered a foreign language. Some people may argue otherwise but the most important part is that schools, and colleges and universities will consider American Sign Language a foreign language because the language is increasing in popularity over the common French, Spanish, and Japanese. Even though the amount of reasons why American Sign Language cannot be considered a foreign language is very close to the amount of reason why American Sign Language can be considered a foreign language the thing that matters is how many people think that American Sign Language is considered a foreign language and how many school, colleges, and universities will accept it at a foreign language and give credit and degree for that class.
In the last few decades, the notion of language and brain has been highlighted in different scientific fields such as: neurology, cognitive science, linguistics biology, technology and finally education.