Bonobos: Immanuel Kanzi's Symbols

Bonobos Have you ever heard of a bonobo? If not, then you are missing out. When taught at a young age, these creatures have the capability to learn up to 348 symbols. When Kanzi was an infant Sue Savage-Rumbaugh tried to teach his mother, Matata, to communicate using a keyboard labeled with geometric shapes. Matata never really got the hang of it, but Kanzi- who usually played in the background seemingly oblivious, during his mothers teaching lesson- picked up the language. Bonobos are very smart, skilled and loving. Kanzi learned up to 348 symbols. He combined the symbols to created proto-grammar. He knows the meaning of up to 3,000 English words. Kanzi also understands words that aren't part of his vocabulary. “Kanzi learned to combine these symbols in regular ways, or in what linguists call “Proto-grammar” (line 16-17).” “... he knows the meaning of up to 3,000 spoken English words. (lines 24-25)” “...”Kanzi …show more content…
When Kanzi was out in a forest, he touched the symbols for marshmallow and fire. When he was given the matches he started a fired and toasted the marshmallow. The bonobos live in a 13,000-square-foot lab. They get from one room to another by operating hydraulic doors. To open the hydraulic doors they press certain symbols. They also get food from vending machines. “ ...kanzi touched the symbols for “marshmallow” and “fire”. Given matches and marshmallows, Kanzi snapped twigs for a fire, lit them with the matches and toasted the marshmallows on a stick (lines 19-22).” “The bonobo compound boasts a 13,000-square-foot lab, drinking fountains, outdoor playgrounds, rooms linked by hydraulic doors that the animals operate themselves by pushing buttons, and a kitchen where they can use a microwave oven and get snacks from a vending machine (pressing the symbols for desired foods)( lines 37-42).” The bonobos can open the doors just by pressing the buttons. Just by having matches and marshmallows Kanzi made an fire and toasted