For this blog, I decided to look up Kanzi the chimp. This subject caught my attention in the video Unlocking Language that we saw in class. I was intrigued by the fact that chimps can learn sign language and a limited vocabulary. Also, I was amazed that they can also respond to English. In this video, the most interesting thing I observed was that the chimp could understand whole sentences, not just words.
I cannot agree or disagree with this video, but I do agree with linguists who have found that there is no creativity in animal communication. That idea can be extended to include animals who are taught English or other languages. This is comparable to how a dog understands certain commands such as "Get the ball". I am sure that Kanzi was extensively trained to do these activities, in difference to humans who can learn them naturally. If he were asked to make up a new sentence, he would probably not be able to.
My interest in the topic of how human speech is distinguished from animal communication has been piqued. I have always known that animals are not made to talk like humans; however, I am amazed that they can understand us to this extent. I will probaly continue to be interested in these types of experiments and learn more about the results. I am convinced that they will strengthen the belief that humans and their language are fundamentally unique.
The world can also see through these studies that animals are awe-inspiring creatures with a more limited communication, natural only to them. It also can affect the way that society views humans and animals. They can possibly better comprehend that each has their own set of distinct characteristics, language or communication being one of many.
Wow, I am on the same page as you. The fact that Chimps have the ability to understand us that well is just insane. I really enjoyed this. If you find any further videos on the subject, I would love to watch some more.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, the chimp was most likely trained to do those tasks with the sentence said. If we were to visit that chimp and say a new sentence that he has never heard of before, then he would probably do what sounds the closest to what we said. Plus, I would never be that close to a chimp with a knife!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, and I actually saw this video in the past in one of my psychology class. I find it so amazing how chimps are able to be trained in a way to be able to learn commands from us, humans. I have always wondered if animals have their own language to communicate between them, but one thing I know for sure is that they are intelligent and can be train to learn the human language.
ReplyDeleteI think kenzis his life story has been unbelievable; after all who would ever imagine the a chimpanzee would be able to learn sign language and communicate with humans.
ReplyDeleteCool video! You would probably like videos about coco (I think that's the name) and the use of sign language. I have seen video footage where the chimp started mixing words (signs) together to create a more defined thought. Of course I'm a huge ASL junky, but I sometimes wonder if they can communicate and understand more because its a visual language.
ReplyDeleteIt's absolutely amazing what animals are capable of learning and doing! This was such a cool video. I had heard of Coco but not of Kanzi. It's unbelievable what we have learned about communication and language recently.
ReplyDelete