Chimpanzees and American Sign Language: Learning or Just Imagination?
Chimpanzees do not naturally know American Sign Language (ASL) despite extensive studies showing some have been taught to use signs to communicate with humans. This article explores the extent to which chimpanzees can learn ASL, comparing their abilities to those of other species, and challenges some of the assumptions made about their language capabilities.Chimpanzees and ASL: A Historical Overview
One of the most famous examples of a chimpanzee learning ASL is Washoe, a chimpanzee raised by researchers Allen and Beatrix Gardner in the 1960s. Washoe learned over 350 signs and used them contextually to communicate her needs and thoughts. Other notable chimpanzees like Nim Chimpsky and Koko the gorilla (though Koko is a gorilla, not a chimpanzee, she shares similar research themes) have also been involved in studies to teach them ASL or similar systems. While these studies have shown that chimpanzees can learn to use signs, their understanding and use of language are not as complex as human language.Language Learning in Non-Human Primates
Various examples exist of dogs learning hand signals. Herding dogs, like Australian Shepherds, often learn specific gestures that represent commands. For instance, many Australian Shepherds have learned the sign for "sit." One example is Beethoven, a deaf Australian Shepherd who learned the sign language for "sit," likely through observation and positive reinforcement.The Misconceptions and Evidence
Some videos and testimonials suggest that chimpanzees and gorillas can learn and use a form of ASL, but this is often not as comprehensive or complex as claimed. The assumption that the people teaching ASL to these animals were fluent in the language is questionable. The records of the signs used by the chimps are extensive, but they can be cherry-picked and interpreted generously. This raises concerns about the actual acquisition of ASL by these animals.Despite these challenges, there is evidence that chimps and humans share an instinctive sign language. Researchers have noted that some signs used by chimps are not found in human languages, suggesting a shared but unique form of non-verbal communication.
No creature is born knowing any language. They all need to be taught. While there are instances of humans teaching ASL to chimpanzees (like Nim, Washoe, and Chantek), other famous cases like Koko the gorilla belong to the same period.