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Reading C

The document discusses how human language is unique in being produced vocally and having understood meanings, while animals can only produce sounds without understanding. It provides examples of research on teaching animals like chimpanzees, gorillas, and horses to communicate using sign language, symbols, or responses, finding varying levels of comprehension and ability to combine words or symbols. The best example was Kanzi the gorilla who learned a symbol system through observation rather than direct teaching.

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23 views2 pages

Reading C

The document discusses how human language is unique in being produced vocally and having understood meanings, while animals can only produce sounds without understanding. It provides examples of research on teaching animals like chimpanzees, gorillas, and horses to communicate using sign language, symbols, or responses, finding varying levels of comprehension and ability to combine words or symbols. The best example was Kanzi the gorilla who learned a symbol system through observation rather than direct teaching.

Uploaded by

fikrymail
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Animals and Human Language

Human language is indeed such a unique form of communication, because human being can
produce the language through voice which can be understood for having communication.

Animal produces a particular behavior in response to a particular sound-stimulus, but does


not actually ‘understand’ the meaning of the words uttered. Such as cows can produce ​Moo
but we can not understand what is the meaning of it.

Baby and puppy grow up in the same environmet, hearing mostly the same thing, but about
two years later, the baby is making human noises and the puppy is not.

In this occassion, there are some samples to know about the behaviour of producing langauge
as same as the human being, such as shimpanzee because of its basic genetic in common with
the human.

ü ​Washoe; Beatrix and Allen Gardner set out to teach a female chimpanzee called
Washoe to use a version of American Sign Language. This sign language is used
bt the deaf. Finnaly, Washoe demonstrated understanding of a much larger
number of signs than she actually produced

ü ​Sarah and Lana; Sarah was also capable of producing ‘sentences’ such as ​Mary
give chocolate Sarah by selecting the correct plastic shape. Lana learnt langague
called Yerkish and consisted of a set of symbols on large keyboard linked to a
computer. When Lana wanted some water, she had to press four symbols, in the
correct sequance, to produce the message ​please machine give water​.

ü ​Nim Chimspky; beginning in 1973, a concentrated effort was made to teach Nim
American Sign Language under controlled conditions, with careful records and
video-taping of Nim’s classroom activities. Over two-year period, Nim produced
a large number of single-word signs, developed two-word combinations, and used
them in appropriate circumstances.

1. ü H
​ ans; clever horse in German using hoofbeats to answer arithmetical

questions and to tap out the letters of the alphabet.


ü ​Buzz and Doris; Doris’s behavior consisted of conditioned responses to the
different light signals and Buzz’s behaviour was conditioned to responding to
Doris’s calls.

ü ​Kanzi; Matata’s nursing baby, Kanzi spontaneously started using the symbol
system with great ease. He had learning not by being taught, but by being
exposed to, and observing, language in use.

Question!
1. find the main idea.
2. please make the conclusion!
3. please, give your opinion!

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