Humans are one of the most complex beings to roam the Earth. They are one of the only species with bipedalism, they have the ability to collectively learn, and they can communicate with each other verbally and nonverbally. However, humans aren’t the only species who can communicate to one another. Humans are the only ones to communicate with a verbal language, yet there is no need for a verbal language to get across an idea. Other animals that roam this Earth can communicate to each other, and in some cases, it is very similar to the way humans do. Because humans make up the majority of the Earth’s population, no one puts into account that other species have to be able to communicate too. Animals, such as honeybees and chimpanzees, have similar
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In the articles, “Chimpanzee Communication” and “Language Development in Chimpanzees and Human Children” from Big History, scientist Jane Goodall talk about how different chimps around the world were taught American Sign Language (ASL) and how they managed to arrange these gestures into coherent sentences. As expected, some of the chimps did not understand the meaning behind the signs, they just mirrored the movements. Miraculously, others were able to learn the meanings of each sign and use the gestures to gesticulate sentences to onlookers. It is even said that one chimp, named Koko, has an IQ between 70 and 95. The average human IQ is 100, which makes Koko living proof that other species are capable of having the intelligence of humans. The chimps, like Koko, who were able to learn the meanings of the different signs and form understandable sentences provide more evidence that it is possible to teach other species a form of speech similar to humans, rather than relying on the terminology to come …show more content…
In the article, “Human Language is Different from Animal Communication” from Big History, a professor of linguistics in Scotland named James R. Hurford discusses the vast difference between humans and animals and the way these creatures interact. He states, “Human languages contain tens of thousands of arbitrary, learned symbols, mainly words. No other animal communication system involves learning all the symbols in each individual’s lifetime, and certainly not in such vast numbers.” Although this argument is reasonable, it would be hard to believe humans are the only beings who can communicate the way they do. Other species can provide information to one another, despite it being different from how humans do it. In the article, “Kanzi’s System of Communication” from Big History, journalist Paul Raffaele writes about his experience with Kanzi, the chimp who can understand human demands and can use symbols to talk and ask questions. He states, “she says he can respond appropriately to commands such as “put the soap in the water” or “carry the TV outdoors.” It is not a coincidence that this chimp can understand our language. Yes, he was taught to understand, but he understands nonetheless and that is enough evidence to show that human language and other forms of communication are
In the articles, “Chimpanzee Communication” and “Language Development in Chimpanzees and Human Children” from Big History, scientist Jane Goodall talk about how different chimps around the world were taught American Sign Language (ASL) and how they managed to arrange these gestures into coherent sentences. As expected, some of the chimps did not understand the meaning behind the signs, they just mirrored the movements. Miraculously, others were able to learn the meanings of each sign and use the gestures to gesticulate sentences to onlookers. It is even said that one chimp, named Koko, has an IQ between 70 and 95. The average human IQ is 100, which makes Koko living proof that other species are capable of having the intelligence of humans. The chimps, like Koko, who were able to learn the meanings of the different signs and form understandable sentences provide more evidence that it is possible to teach other species a form of speech similar to humans, rather than relying on the terminology to come …show more content…
In the article, “Human Language is Different from Animal Communication” from Big History, a professor of linguistics in Scotland named James R. Hurford discusses the vast difference between humans and animals and the way these creatures interact. He states, “Human languages contain tens of thousands of arbitrary, learned symbols, mainly words. No other animal communication system involves learning all the symbols in each individual’s lifetime, and certainly not in such vast numbers.” Although this argument is reasonable, it would be hard to believe humans are the only beings who can communicate the way they do. Other species can provide information to one another, despite it being different from how humans do it. In the article, “Kanzi’s System of Communication” from Big History, journalist Paul Raffaele writes about his experience with Kanzi, the chimp who can understand human demands and can use symbols to talk and ask questions. He states, “she says he can respond appropriately to commands such as “put the soap in the water” or “carry the TV outdoors.” It is not a coincidence that this chimp can understand our language. Yes, he was taught to understand, but he understands nonetheless and that is enough evidence to show that human language and other forms of communication are