Human Language Uniqueness and Animal Communication Studies
Understanding Animal and Human Language
George Yule’s Focus on Language Distinction
Initially, the focus was on the ways in which human language is distinct or different from animal communication. Key points include:
- Language is a fundamentally human trait, or universal.
- It is considered species-specific, with the belief that Allah Almighty taught Adam how to speak.
- The question of language in use was deemed most important.
Do Animals Understand Human Language?
There is a common agreement that non-humans cannot truly understand human language, despite much human language being directed at animals. For example:
- Riders say “Whoa” to horses, and they stop.
- In circus rings, a variety of animals go up, down, and roll over in accordance with spoken commands.
However, as far as animal behavior is concerned, they typically produce a particular behavior in response to a specific sound stimulus, rather than understanding the linguistic meaning.
Animal Communication vs. Human Language Production
If animals do not understand human language, then they cannot produce it in the same way. Animals use various calls and sounds in cases of danger or hunger, but these cannot be considered true language. Meaningful utterance and proper conversational ability are notably lacking in animals compared to human beings.
Interestingly, chimpanzees share 99% of their basic genetics with human beings, leading to various experiments to explore their linguistic capabilities.
Early Primate Language Experiments
Historically, chimpanzees, apes, and gorillas were used in various research studies to determine whether they could speak like human beings. Early examples include:
- Gua, a chimpanzee, was reported to act on human vocal instructions but could not produce a single word.
Notable Primate Language Studies
- Viki, a chimpanzee reared by scientists Catherine and Keith Hayes in the 1940s for five years, was able to produce poorly articulated versions of “mama,” “papa,” and “cup,” but ultimately failed to speak proper language. It became clear that non-human primates do not have a physically structured vocal tract like humans for producing human speech sounds.
- Washoe, a chimpanzee whose owners tried to teach her American Sign Language, was able to produce some basic signs.
Further Primate Language Experiments
Other experimental subjects like Koko, Sarah, Lana, and Nim Chimpsky were taught sign language and language using various shapes. They were able to produce these signs and arrange correct sequences of various shapes to obtain food and water.
However, close analysis showed that they were primarily repeating the signs of their trainers as learned behavior, rather than demonstrating true linguistic creativity. While they seemed capable of rudimentary conversational ability, this was often questioned upon deeper scrutiny.
Noam Chomsky’s Concept of Language
Noam Chomsky, a renowned linguist, claimed that language is an innate ability and unique to the human species. This concept was seemingly contradicted by experiments on chimpanzees, particularly the case of Nim Chimpsky.
Nim Chimpsky was able to use signs from American Sign Language. However, later research by Terrace concluded that this signing was largely a repetition of trainers’ actions and could not be considered true linguistic behavior, thus supporting Chomsky’s view on the uniqueness of human language.
Conclusion: Human Language Uniqueness
Based on the examples discussed, it can be concluded that:
- Animals do not possess language comparable to human beings.
- Animals lack the physiological human vocal tract necessary for speech.
- They also do not pass through the basic stages of language acquisition that human children do, further highlighting the unique nature of human language.