The use of language is a capacity that goes beyond humans. Other primates have managed to learn to express themselves through sign language. In fact, in all species of great apes (chimpanzees, orangutans, gorillas and bonobos) there have been individuals who have been able to transmit messages through this communication system.
In the program ¡Qué Animal!, Evelyn Segura goes in search of the similarities we share with our evolutionary relatives. It is important to highlight that these learnings have always had a human origin yeThe artificial factor of this practice has generated controversy in the scientific community. Many experts agree that these teachings to other primates are an intrusion on their natural behavior. After all, their high cognitive level is already evident in their own behaviors.
The controversy does not leave aside the scientific interest of these experiments. The fact that non-human primates have come to assimilate and use language is significant for the study of their capabilities. One of the greatest milestones in this sense has been the ability of some of these primates to Express feelings.
There are and have been numerous individuals who have communicated using sign language and some of them have become famous for their amazing communication skills.
Other primates have managed to learn to express themselves through sign language
Washoe the chimpanzee
Washoe She was a chimpanzee who in the 70s gained fame for being the first animal to learn sign language. Although his legacy goes much further. Washoe was able to express emotions.
In the Primates chapter of What animal!the primatologist Laia Dotras explains one of the most notable episodes of this chimpanzee. It happened when a caregiver told Washoe that she had lost her baby. She, who had also lost a baby some time ago, made the cry sign.
The gorilla Grandma
The gorilla Size It is probably the non-human primate best known for its use of sign language. The psychologist Francine Patterson, who focused her work on the primate, recorded 1,000 signs and 2,000 words that the gorilla could understand. Koko became especially famous by participating in a campaign against climate change of a French NGO in which it transmitted a message through this communication system.
Koko the gorilla communicating with Francine Patterson, the psychologist who taught her sign language
Chantek the orangutan
Chantek He was an orangutan capable of using sign language. For nine years he was part of an experiment by the anthropologist Lyn Miles at the University of Tennessee, where she taught him different human practices. One of them was the American Sign Language with which she communicated with Miles and also with his caregivers. Her case had significance thanks to the documentary The monkey who went to universitywhich showed the learning process and cognitive milestones achieved by Chantek.
2023-10-14 23:35:34
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