Human Language Dbq

Both animals and humans have different ways to communicate, but at the same time there are a few ways in which we communicate very similarly. Human language does not set humans apart from other species because almost all species can communicate, and some in ways very similar to us. Animals can communicate with hand motions, and sign language, and there are also cases like Alex the parrot who can talk and understand what he is saying just like us.

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

Most parrots can make sounds that resemble words to us, but there is little evidence they mean anything to the bird, “however, Alex seemed to be different” (Doc 4). Alex was able to say something and appeared to understand what he was saying. “Unlike any chimpanzee, Alex learned to speak words clearly” (Doc 4). Alex had the intelligence of a five year old child and knew about 150 words (Doc 4). Alex was a special case in animal communication due to his ability to communicate verbally and understand everything he was saying. Not all animals communicate verbally, but Alex was able to communicate in nearly the exact same way as a five year old human