Download fossils of human language.

Chimpanzee Communication
Name
Date
Thesis
Chimpanzee communication has been viewed as the “fossils of human language.” The
communication systems of chimpanzees including both verbal and non-verbal demonstrate many
similarities with human language. These similarities point to how and why the human language
was formed. Chimpanzee’s non-verbal communication systems are strikingly similar to humans.
Hugging, kissing, and hand holding are among the very human-like forms of communication that
chimpanzee’s exhibit. Anthropologists are even finding that their verbal communication systems
have some similarities to human language and point to human languages’ primitive beginnings.
Although many have thought that communication both verbal and non-verbal is unique only to
humans, scientists are finding major similarities in both areas of communication. By looking at
humans past by examining chimpanzees, our closest relative, we are finding great insight into
our primitive language beginnings.
Annotated Bibliography
Crockford, C., & Boesch, C. (2012). Call combinations in wild chimpanzees. Behaviour 142(4),
397-421. http://dx.doi.org/doi: 10.1163/1568539054012047.
This source is a study of specific calls of chimpanzees from the Tai Forest and the Ivory
Coast. It talks about how combinations of barks, screams, and in some areas drumming
might be linked to the beginning of human language. They reference the two components
of human language: phonological and lexical syntax. This source points out the
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phonological syntax is the stringing together of sounds according to certain rules and that
lexical syntax involves strings of words with an advanced set of rules. They point out that
chimpanzees use a primitive form of phonological syntax in the long distance calls that
they make to locate others in their group. However they also found that some form of
lexical syntax might be relevant in the case of combinations of barks and tree drumming.
As well as communicating to find the location of others call combinations were found to
represent a variety of other feelings as well. This source also gives a lot of information
about the frequency of the calls and for what purposes.
This source will be extremely helpful and is one of the most unique sources I found. It is
the only source that specifically discusses how chimpanzee’s communications are the
“fossils of human language.” This source seems fairly objective because they are
comparing different groups of chimpanzees that are from different areas as well. It
provides really nice charts of the different types of calls and what they mean that will be
really interesting to include in my PowerPoint. The goal of this source was to examine
chimpanzee communication and try to understand it in terms of the evolution of human
communication.
Fouts, R. (1997). Next of kin: What chimpanzees have taught me about who we are. New York:
William Morrow and Company, Inc.
This source talks about a relationship that the author had with a particular chimpanzee
named Washoe. He talks about the importance of non-verbal communication and the
importance it has on communicating with both primate as well as human communication.
He says that non-verbal communication is just as important as verbal and in with
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chimpanzees in that facial expressions and body language play just as big of a role in
chimpanzee communication as they do in human. The author also discusses how he
taught the chimpanzee Washoe sign language as well as others in which they were able to
communicate amongst one another. This source is extremely interesting as it give a
picture of just how intelligent chimpanzees really are. This source also asks the question
of whether or not this is really language. This source gave my project an understanding
of both chimpanzees that were brought up in the wild and those that were not. This
particular source gives me insight into chimpanzees who were taught sign language by
humans and what they can learn under instruction. This source will be useful because my
other sources are about wild chimpanzees. This source may be somewhat biased because
it seems to focus mainly on one chimpanzee; however it gives a good picture of the nonverbal communication capabilities of chimpanzees. I will also be able to use this source
because the author discusses those who felt that chimpanzee communication and human
communication cannot be compared. It has changed my project a little bit in that I will
also discuss the capabilities of chimpanzee communication outside of their natural
habitat.
Wilson, M.L., Hauser, M.D., & Wrangham, R.W. (2007). Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)
modify grouping and vocal behaviour in response to location-specific risk. Behaviour
144(12), 1621-1653. http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.1163/156853907782512137.
This particular source talks about the use of communication during times in which
other groups are encountered and warfare could potentially ensue. It talks about
how less verbal communication is used so that the other side will not here them
intruding. Also this source talks about how generally these groups are generally
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male dominated leaving the females behind. This source also gives a number of
how many chimpanzees normally live together in a group. It talks about how
pant-hoots are used predominately by males. This source provides much less
information than the other sources that I found; however it is interesting because
it gives insight to chimpanzee’s communication techniques during times in which
they encounter other groups. Also they have developed a system in which they
keep quiet so that the other side does not hear them. This source also talks about
what the pant-hoots may be used for and during what times of the day. I can use
this source in relation to my argument because it examines the communication of
chimpanzees during times of warfare and also how they act is very similar to
humans.
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