Why Do Non-Human Primates Use Sign Language Not Vocalization?

Non-human primates’ communication based on a limited range of sounds and gestures. Human communication is far more focused on the use of oral sounds. The human voice and non-human primate vocalizations are characterized by important differences. Our speech is radically different from other sounds used by non-human primates to communicate. Vocal perception abilities through conspecific vocalizations are important in social interactions. Only human possess speech perception to communicate in a highly efficient manner (Belin, 2006). Human and non-human primates’ vocalization differs in the morphology of the vocal apparatus and acoustic structure (Fitch 2000, 2003). Primates such as monkeys possess vocal folds in the vocal tract which are absent in humans (Schon Ybarra 1995). The larynx in the vocal tract of human is much lower compared to the non-human primates. The lowered larynx allows the increase of flexibility of the tongue and thus yielding a large range of frequencies. In contrast, higher larynx leads to inflexibility of the tongue thus limiting the non-human primates’ ability to yield acoustically distinct sounds through their vocal tract (Belin, 2006). In addition, non-human primates do not use their tongue to modify the shape of the vocal tract for the production of sound. The distinct production of human speech involves

Many researchers over the years have been testing if animals can learn and use language, however, technically, animals do not use the same “language” that we do. They don’t communicate like we do, so these studies don’t serve much purpose.

Language is essential to every interaction and aspect in human’s everyday lives. Imagine a world without language, everyone will be mute and doesn’t have any connection with each other. Being able to communicate through language with each other forms bonds and that’s what make human different from any animal species. And language gives us a unique and diverse characters to each of us.

“In grammar school they taught me that a frog turning into a prince was a fairy tale. In the university they taught me that a frog turning into a prince was a fact!” (Carlson) The most widespread and decrepit part of Evolution is that human and apes derived from a common ancestor, yet, this is quite a stretch from a genetic perspective. Imagine a parent who has two offspring, the two offspring would have the same basic similarities as the parent and as their sibling. However, and the points below will harken to this fact, humans and apes to do not have any sibling-like similarity. A study done by Philip Lieberman has proven that even an evolutionary manipulated pharyngeal [voice box] region of a monkey or ape would not result in human sounds. The study was reported by Dr. Hugh Ross, an astrophysicist, who states, “Repeated attempts have been made to train nonhuman primates to mimic human speech sounds. Every endeavor has failed…Philip Lieberman concluded that ‘nonhuman primates lack a pharyngeal [voice box] region like man’s, where the cross-sectional area continually changes during speech.’… A research team headed by… biologist Tecumseh Fitch…noted…that [monkeys] lack a ‘speech ready brain’. Fitch and his team demonstrated that the brains and minds of nonhuman primates are almost totally lacking in their capacity to control…vocal tracts.

Language is a method in which individuals communicate in order to get their opinion across to the listening party. Language is the tool which ideas can be conveyed in various ways. Typically, language is referred to verbal communication, however, it ranges to all methods of communication i.e. sign language.

     The cultural transmission of a communication system through learning is a fundamental attribute of language. Trained chimpanzee’s Washoe and Lucy have tried to teach Ameslan to other animals, including their own offspring. Washoe has taught gestures to other chimps at the institute where she is, including her son, Sequoia, who died when he was very young. There has been other cases of cultural transmission from chimp to chimp.

There is some great evidence for the argument that primates have their own culture, so it is no wonder that it is getting harder for people to argue that they do not. There are plenty of pictures of primates hugging each other, laughing, and even making tools. The more I read about primates the more I see how similar they are to humans. Chimps use grooming as a way of social reconciliation, as well as helping each other out. Humans were also thought to be one of the only species to engage in sexual activity without the sole cause being conception. Primates have been observed engaging in sexual acts that tend to strengthen social bonds and defuse conflict. Scientists have also taught primates how to use sign language as a means of communication.

     Before getting into any great detail concerning the complexity of what language is and its relationship with the term Ebonics, Ebonics must first be defined. It is considered to be best described as “black speech” and therefore can be referred to as an “undefined language.” Many consider language to be a spoken tongue belonging to a nationality of people, so in general, and for the sake of clarity in this work, language is a general communication concept by which species relate to themselves and others. It is also a set of rules combined to establish a designated communication system.

To communicate effectively we must understand and ‘apply’ the ‘rules’ of the structure used in language and be able to vocalise this through speech. We must also hear and understand the speech of others through our ability to listen and to interpret body language and facial

As I stated previously, I believe that non-human primates have culture because of their ability to pass on knowledge from one generation to the next. The behaviors that chimps exhibit is very similar to humans because they possess some of the same human traits. For example, in the video, The Changing Ape, the chimps demonstrate their ability to hunt and use tools. Both of these traits are human like characteristics. According to the evidence found in fossil records, human and chimp ancestors possessed the ability and knowledge to use stone tools to crack open nuts or other foods for

Whenever you talk to someone that is called communication. Have you ever thought about other animals, learning human language? Well some animals such as Bonobos have started learning human language and this trait may be passed on to other insanely smart animals. Can you believe that other animals know how to communicate with humans? According to “Speaking Bonobo” Kanzi a 26 year old Bonobo can communicate with humans by touching a specific symbol that means an english word.

Although there is no direct evidence and a species language or their language capabilities do not fossilize, coupled with more modern techniques being used today and archeological evidence, it is possible now to study this topic with more success than in previous years. There is a record that supports the suggestion of Homo neandertal speech capabilities. Previous to the recovery of an intact middle paleolithic hyoid bone, the reconstructed vocal tract and the FOXP2 gene, the lack of evidence on the speech capabilities of Homo neandertals led most scholars to regard the topic as unsuitable for serious study

The second video of ‘Robert Seyfarth: Can Monkeys Talk? (napisy PL)4 is the second closest to human language. The vervet monkey of East Africa have different vocal noises that mean different things. There were three calls that are expressed in the video: one for if they saw a Leopard, one for if they saw an eagle and one for if they saw a snake. After each call, the monkeys reacted differently. All the monkeys reacted exactly the same to each call. These are calls that all vervet monkeys can understand. They may be basic calls and sounds, but they are very effected by keeping the monkeys alive. All the monkeys are aware of the calls mean, and it is something that they can understand instantly and even from a distance. – This is most likely

Language is something that we need and use for everything in our lives. Language is, “a symbolic communication system that is learned instead of biologically inherited.” (O’Neil, 2006). Language is communication that is either written down or spoken in words or sentences. We need to have a good understanding of language to learn, work and for our normal lives. You need to know language to be able to communicate with other people. Language has structure and meaning, for example words and sentences. Language also had tone, pitch, pace and volume. There are several types of language, receptive language, expressive language, emergent language. Receptive language is how you receive and understand language and expressive language is how

One thing we all have in common is that we must all communicate in one form or another. Everyone communicates even if they know it or not. Both verbal and nonverbal communication is used during conversations. Using both forms helps convey and support the message you are trying to send.