Do Apes Speak?

Paper Summary:

The paper provides an extensive literature review on the topic of communication among apes and discusses how it seems clear that apes can acquire some form of language and communicate with humans. The paper reveals that there is also evidence that apes may have a form of language of their own by which they communicate with each other. The paper discovers that apes would not normally acquire such capabilities on their own, but they can be trained to use language and respond to its meaning.

Outline:
Introduction
Review of Literature
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Research has been conducted for a long time on questions about the origin of language and how human beings first learned to speak. More recently, research has shifted to various primate studies as to whether or not other primates have what can be considered a language and in some cases whether apes can be taught to understand language and even to speak. Some of the early experiments in this area were seen as promising by some and as self-delusion by others, but the research continued and has produced a number of interesting results that may bring us closer to understanding the genesis of language and how widespread language is in the animal kingdom."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Aitchison, J. (1998). The articulate mammal: An introduction to psycholinguistics. London:Routledge.
• Appel , A. (2005) 'Dinner conversation' proof of ape speech? National Geographic News.
• Brown, G. (1958). Words and things. New York: The Free Press.
• Brain circuitry involved in language reveals differences in man, non-human primates (2001, September 5). Science Daily. Retrieved December 12, 2006 from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/09/010905071926.html.
• Cantalupo ,C. & Hopkins, W.D. (2001) Assymetric Broca's area in great apes. Nature.

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