Ape Sign Language Linguistic Anthropology Anthropology

Language is often pointed to as the hallmark of the human species. This assertion has had many proponents into the twentieth century and it is widely held that humans differ markedly from animals in their use of language. In the past thirty years, this assertion has been the subject of many debates as scientists have researched capacity of sign language acquisition by apes. Incredible claims have been made by some researchers about the linguistic capabilities of their subjects, mostly chimpanzees. These claims have been refuted and counter-refuted many times, and the literature on the subject is extensive. Currently, there is no general consensus on the ability of non-human primates to acquire language.

• Top/Society/Issues/Animal Welfare/Specific Animals/Primates
• Top/Science/Biology/Zoology/Chordates/Mammalogy/Primatology
• Top/Reference/Dictionaries/Sign Languages

• Talking With Chimps - An article that describes why some researchers feel that chimps may be able to learn language.
  
• Primate Research Institute: Section of Language and Intelligence - Chimpanzee language research projects at Kyoto University. News, pictures and biographies of chimpanzee subjects as well as researchers.
  
• Are Nonhuman Species Capable of Language Acquisition? - A discussion of the value and validity of ape language research.
  
• Non-Human Primates and Language - This project is part of a theoretical course on Syntax and Grammatical Theories taught by Prof. Dirk Geeraerts at K.U.Leuven.
  
• Language in Child and Chimp? - General commentary on ape language with transcripts of chats with apes and interviews with ape language researchers.
  
• Primate Use of Language - Lauren Kosseff argues that the documentation of elementary language competence in species other than humans has significant implications for the understanding of the evolution of the human species. Article includes a history of ape sign language research.
  
• Koko the Gorilla - The Gorilla Foundation brings interspecies communication to the public through Koko, famous for her sign language skills.
  
• An Internet Chat with Koko the Gorilla - Read the transcript of the chat which took place on April 27th, 1998. This event was the first ever live inter-species Internet chat.
  
• The Primatech Project - A cognitive model of Chantek, a signing orangutan, for an installation at Zoo Atlanta.
  
• Chimp Talk Debate: Is it Really Language? - Article by George Johnson in the New York Times in which he outlines varying views on ape communication.
  
• The Case Against the Animal Mind - An article by Clive Wynne that argues that evidence from ape sign language studies demonstrates that our closest animal relatives do not have consciousness.
  
• Language in Apes: How Much Do They Know and How Much Should We Teach Them - An overview written by Dave Switzer that features a summaries of multiple research projects. Also offers primate glossary.
  
• Language Research Center - Primate research center studying language acquisition through work with bonobos and chimpanzees. Features a list of publications and ape biographies.
  
• The Straight Dope: Are Gorillas Using Sign Language Really Communicating with Humans? - Cecil Adams' research column on the divided scientific opinions about apes and language.
  
• The Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute - This institute at Central Washington University cares for five chimpanzees who are being taught American Sign Language.
  
  

Copyright © 1995-2009 Internet Advertising Solutions, Inc.
Copyright Notice | Privacy Policy | Site Map | APR