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ANIMAL COMMUNICATION LI 2013 NATHALIE F. MARTIN Table of Content COMMUNICATION ANIMAL COMMUNICATION CAN PRIMATES TALK? STUDIES SCEPTICS MORE STUDIES CONCLUSION References: Introduction: The Nature of Communication (chap. 1; Rowe & Levine) « La communication et le langage » « Peut-on faire parler les singes? » Communication Communication is a behaviour, or the transmission of information, that affects the behaviour of others. When a living organism (or machine) communicates it sends messages about itself or its environment. The message is placed into a code. Humans have a highly elaborate code called language. Animals and Human Languages All living beings can communicates certain types of information. But can we say that animals have linguistic abilities? We must be careful to distinguish communication, which is broad, from language, which is a certain type of communication. Animal Communication Different means of communication used by animals: • Smell • Light • Electricity • Posture • Actions/movement • Facial expressions Perception and animal communication Animal communication is unconscious and non- deliberate. For example, if an animal lets out a cry in the presence of a predator, we automatically suppose that it is a reaction and not a deliberate desire to warn the other members of it’s species. Communication: results of a stimuli. Produced only in reaction to a given situation (or triggers). In other words, an animal would never seek to communicate if it wasn’t enticed by something in it’s environment (they are mostly stimulus-bound). Perception and animal communication (2) Animal communication is understood as genetic. If an animal, like a monkey for example, emits a certain cry, it is because it has been genetically programmed to do so. An example: Bees Their communication system: The distance is indicated by the type of « dance »: In circles, with movement of tale (waggle dance), and figure eight; Direction is indicated by the orientation of the dance in light of the sun; The quality of the given source of food is indicated by the speed of the dance. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NtegAOQpSs (3 min) Dance of the Bees Of Bees and Men A mix of symbolism and clues. Symbolic since the dances are not directly associated to the content they represent. Indicial (/ɪndɪʃəl/) since they indicate the quality of the food by accelerating the dance. Limited: There is only one subject/topic addressed by the message; The information within the message is limited. « Code » is mainly genetic (and non cultural). Proof: genetic (crossbreeding) Proof: bees born/raised outside the hive Communication and/or language But can we say that what animals possess is in fact what we refer to as language? Language, Languages and Speech FRENCH “Language” ENGLISH Language/ability The innate ability to learn and produce language/code. Natural, universal and innate ability (amongst humans). “Langue” Language/code A code or system, used by consensus. Ex: different languages (French, English, Spanish, Greek, etc.). Collective (used within a language group, speakers of the language) “Parole” Speech The individual act of speaking (Concrete use of the language/code). Ex: “Please stop the bus!” Individual. Can primates talk? HUMAN SPEECH THE CASE OF KOKO AND MANY OTHER ANIMALS Humans: Specialization for Speech Contemporary Linguistics Analysis: p. 2. Organ Survival Speech Lungs Exchange CO2 for O2 Air flow Vocal Cords Cover tube to lungs Vibration Tongue Move food in mouth Articulation Teeth Chew food Articulation Lips Seal oral cavity Articulation Nose Breathing Nasal resonance Specialization for Speech: Made to Speak http://www.uiowa.edu/~acadtech/phonetics/english/frameset.html Anatomical Differences http://languages-of-the-world.blogspot.com/2010/08/innovations-to-human-vocal-apparatus.html Can humans make primates talk? What do you think? Can we make apes talk? The first experiments with primates seem to have shown us that primates can in fact adopt a form of human language (whether it be sign language of a similar system). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmuu8UEi2ko (3:50) Can humans make primates talk? (2) 1- 1966: Allen & Beatrice Gardner and Washoe They taught her American sign language (ASL) 4 years later, she uses 130 signs. They also affirm that she has spontaneously combined different signs that they have never taught her e.g. « bird » + « water » = duck Can humans make primates talk? (3) 2- David Premack and Sarah the chimpanzee. He decided to teach her a new language. This language is made up of symbols attached to magnets placed on a board. Sarah learns to manipulate symbols that are non “iconic” (non representative). After many years, she is able a manipulate many signs to answer questions. Can humans make primates talk? (2) 3- Penney Patterson – Koko (gorilla): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U64k_fA2Rcc (new sign = 1 min) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NDvs9bMsTE&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NDvs9bMsTE (5 mins in) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDGQySZ1gbs&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VJgsiADba8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7t9it2I2lg0&feature=related (7 mins in) Michael (gorilla): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBNwLf3CyiU Sceptics The success of there two studies opened the door for many researches, including Francine Patterson and Koko. But these studies are hindered by scepticism ... H. Terrace says that: these studies do not take syntax into account these chimpanzees have been preconditioned. the true ability for language is lacking. Other researcher says that this study can be likened to the “Clever Hans” controversy. The « Clever Hans » Controversy German school teacher, von Osten, in 1904; Claims that his horse can think; and communicate through clicking his heals or by nodding his head. Oskar Pfungst; Explains this phenomenon: « Clever Hans » is simply a good observer. The « Clever Hans » Controversy (2) The horse: Has a superior sensory perception; Interprets the clues given by his master (involuntary movement of the head); Proof: Did not have the right answer when his master didn’t know the answer or when the horse was blindfolded; Therefore, the horse was simply trained; in other words, it could read the clues given by his master. Repercussions on the study of primates Many think that the positive results (in the study of apes) are the results of training (subtle prompting). The humans want to animals to do well; This is communicated to the animals through involuntary movements; The animals perceive these messages; The animals give the desired response. Therefore: these animals are only trained. And the studies continue ... In 1977, D. Rumbaugh teaches Lana an artificial language called Yerkish. Advantages: there is therefore a certain distance between the scientist and the chimpanzee, since they “speak” via a computer and keyboard. This eliminates the “clever Hans” phenomenon! Get this: the monkeys Sherman and Austin, that know Yerkish, teach one another the symbols to obtain food. And the studies continue ... (2) In 1980, the bonobos chimps Kanzi et Mulika are exposed to speech, human gestures and Yerkish The goal is to imitate the manner in which human acquire language. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRM7vTrIIis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Dhc2zePJFE And the studies continue ... (3) Results: Kanzi learns 90 words in Yerkish with sentence manipulations (2800 combinations in all, 90% of which were not taught by the instructor). Like a child, Kanzi shows natural linguistics abilities. His unexpected reactions and requests prove that he understands the meaning (and that it is not only a matter of training). Example: “Wash the hot dogs” So … do primates really have access to human language? A FEW CONCLUSIONS Do apes really have access to human language? “No, but we have learned that”… No, but we have learned that primates : 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. have access to a symbolic code, whether it be innate or learned through training; Are able to name objects, not just ask for them; Are sensitive to word order (syntax); Can create new sentence by changing word order; Can use signs to communicate false information; Who learn “language” = profoundly modified behaviour and cognitive abilities. Why don’t primates who live in the wild “talk”? Primates are highly intelligent beings, who have developed complex social structures, and can manipulate tools – so why can’t they “talk” in a natural setting? Scientists think that primates have a specific intelligence, which short-circuits their access to a more evolved language. They are therefore unable to come to a stable consensus about the meaning of different signs and symbols that could serve are “words”.