Why Is Human Speech?

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

Animals don’t use “language”, but instead they just respond to keywords and signals people train them to do. In the passage “When Animals Communicate They Are Not Using Language” by Mia Lewis, she states that “...can be trained to recognize and respond to many words and signals...does any of this constitute the ability to use language?...other scientists say no. They believe that the ability to use language is unique to humans.” To add onto that, would they physically or mentally be able to? Nope! The

Thesis: Humans differ from animals because humans have developed a complex language which gives man the ability to store knowledge, communicate complex ideas, and is not a hereditary skill.

When looking through animal history, we humans have praised ourselves for our exceptional ability to communicate in an advanced manner. Whether we are listening or speaking, humans have crafted language into a powerful tool that is boundless and flexible against other arts. Moreover, through the perspective of building civilizations, communication has been the foundation of community. As Language is our most advanced form of communication; to what degree of value do we hold it in our society? Throughout the seminars, groups of people explored the history and significance of how we perceive language and the hidden advantages or disadvantages it provides.

Not many students on U.S. campus can honestly speak what they truly think or what is on their mind, unless they want to face the effect their words might have. Sometimes what they say has consequences behind their words. If everyone had enough courage to say what they actually thought or how they felt, then the majority would have a tolerance built up for harsh words or actions. Since a majority of people take things to heart, many people can get their feelings hurt by small comments made. Then they take out their frustration on others, which causes the problem to get worse. If campuses put speech codes that regulated how people spoke to each other in different settings or occasions, then it would fewer instances of people to being attacked simply for who they are.

Language is a form of communication and can be portrayed in many different ways not just vocalization, this is shown by those that use sign language rather than vocalization; these humans still have complex language but they lack the necessary organs or capabilities to produce all of the sounds needed for vocal language; similarly, some non-human primates use different interactions as language not just production and combinations of sounds. Non-human primates do not have the ability to vocalize the way humans do because they lack vocal cords, control of the necessary vocalization, and other speech organs, but that does not mean that they cannot effectively communicate through language with other non-human primates or with humans as well.

One reason that i believe that animals can learn and use language is that scientists have shown that they can. In the article “Speaking Bonobo”, scientists were able to teach Kanzi, a bonobo, actually learned how to communicate using various symbols. He along with seven other bonobos are now living inside of a house where they use what they have been taught to do what humans would consider normal day-to-day activities, like using the microwave and opening doors. The bonobos are shown to be able to reach stage four of the language spectrum when Kanzi and his sister actually communicated vocally with each

Humans are very closely related to chimps and apes. Chapter 1 in The Earth and Its Peoples, talks about three traits that really separates humans from apes. First is bipedalism, which is the fancy word for being able to walk upright on both legs. Second, is that we have bigger brains. Our human brain allows us to function more sophisticatedly. The last trait is where or voice box is located. Ours is lower down in our necks. Much of evolution is also due to the Ice Age and changing temperatures (4).

“What makes us human?”, is an unanswered question asked by many. Is it because of our ability to have empathy for others? Or is it because of our cognitive ability which allows us to look into the future? One of the main arguments made that separates humans from animals is our communication style; our language. Is language inherently unique to human? To answer such a question, we first operationally define language as; “a system of communication based upon words and the combination of words into sentences” (University of Oslo). The purpose of language is for us to be able to convey an infinite amount of ideas to one another. Sign language in general also falls under this definition as it has a complex system of rules and syntax that allow the signed figures to function as words. Animal communication on the other hand, is operationally defined as, “the transmission of a signal from one animal to another such that the sender benefits, on average, from the response of the recipient” (Pearce 1987). With this in mind, current research has shown that the answer is that language is inherently unique to humans.

Before there was language, there were sounds such as, thunder, wind and animal sounds. As the brain evolved, humans developed the capacity for basic screams and shrieks. They used drums to frighten their enemies. And as further explained by the author, the human brain developed three cognitive abilities which led to the development of language over

Alternatively, some may argue other intelligent species, such as dolphins or chimpanzees also possess the ability to express views and opinions, having language very similar to ours; however, what makes human language so unique is its variety and complexity. As cleverly described by Jason Goldman (2012): “Whales sing, monkeys howl, birds chirp. Lizards bob their heads up and down to communicate, and some squid do it by regulating the coloration of their skin cells. But none of these processes can be explained by language.” The distinctiveness of human language is not defined by how it allows individuals to communicate with each other, but instead, the infinite variety that follows. While other species communicate to

At most another gorilla could imitate and mock. Speech is the only medium capable of expressing and dissembling historical time. It is the most complex reality of human action and behavior. Speech usually isn't mastered until adulthood because there are so many rules and regulations to follow.

The ability of humans to speak and understand language is made possible by one of the most complex and vital organs in the human body, the

The claim, humans are the only animal that can acquire language has been the subject of much debate as scientists have investigated language use by non-human species. Researchers have taught apes, monkeys, parrots and wild children with various systems of human-like communication. Thus, one might ask, what is human language? According to Ulla Hedeager, A universally accepted definition of language or the criteria for its use does not exist. This is one of the reasons for the disagreement among scientists about whether non-human species can use a language. In nature, researchers find numerous types of communication systems, several of which appear to be unique to their possessors, and one of them is the language of the human species. Basically, the purpose of communication is the preservation, growth, and development of the species (Smith and Miller 1968:265). The ability to exchange information is shared by all communication systems, and a number of non-human systems share some features of human language. The fundamental difference between human and non-human communication is that animals are believed to react instinctively, in a stereotyped and predictable way. Generally, human behavior is under the voluntary control,

Humans have found many different ways to communicate throughout time. In the early days of civilization humans would use hand signals and drawings to communicate with others. As civilization progressed, so did the methods of communication. This is evident by the number of languages that are used on planet earth. According to the website infoplease.com there are around 6,500 different languages spoken in the world. This is simply astounding the number of different languages spoken. However, speaking is not the only way humans communicate. Humans even sometimes communicate without even knowing. A prime example of this is body language which some could argue is used every day, by just about everyone on the planet. With this said there is one