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I can take pages to try and define language, but this is not
the place nor my expertise. For my information, I will play on the basic definitions
found in standard dictionaries; however, as stated in a paper written for a UW
Anthropology course by Dave Switzer, the following is a unique look at the definition of
language:
- "Some people say that anything an ape can do is not language; of course, if these
are the same people who say that language defines us as humans, and an ape can learn sign
language, then they are saying that deaf people who use sign language are not human
(Patterson & Linden 1981: 119-120)." +Dave
Switzer
We can start by ruling out the fact that Primates are not able
to produce "human" vocalizations, in other words, the anatomy of the Primate
vocal cord does not lend itself to human vocalization.
- "Originally, researchers thought they might be able to teach some unsuspecting apes
spoken language. The most successful attempt was made in the 1950s by Cathy and Keith
Hayes of the Yerkes Laboratory of Primate Biology in Atlanta. However, after several years
of having her lips pulled around and her mouth squished and rearranged, their juvenile
chimp, Vicki, could only muster a few words ("Mama," "Papa,"
"cup," and "up"). Chimps and other non-human primates simply don't
seem to have the necessary anatomical apparati to produce human speech." ^Alex Hawes
There's that word again, human, human speech. Who's making these rules anyhow?
And why the fascination?
So, without much ado, I hope to highlight what has been and is
being done to study Primate Language. These are my opinions mixed with the fact of
what others provide. I hope to educate and stimulate your minds on the
possibilities. Read this with an open mind and do not be so quick to disbelieve.
After all, consider these popular truths:
- the world is flat
- Zeus, set and Odin are all real gods
- women in Salem are witches
- man can't reach the moon
+Dave Switzer, Language in Apes. http://www.math.uwaterloo.ca/~dmswitze/apelang.html
^ZooGoer Archives, Alex Hawes, 1995.
http://www.fonz.org/Zoogoer/main.htm
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