Do Primates Have the Capacity for Language?
Date
2009
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Haverford College. Department of Psychology
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Thesis
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eng
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Haverford users only
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Abstract
Nonhuman primates' capacity for language has been a heavily debated issue, most research focusing solely on attempts to teach primates language. In order to answer the question fully a combination of data must be taken into account, drawing on observations of behavior both in the wild and in the lab, and studies of the biological makeup of nonhuman primates. However, the question whether apes have the capacity for abstract concepts and the cultural aspects of human language is unanswered. With additional information from studies of primate representational play and attempts to communicate with humans, the conclusion is reached that nonhuman primates do have the capacity for language. One implication of nonhuman primates having language is that there is a strong cultural developmental aspect that allows for morals and abstract ideas that is not observed in apes in the wild. This work with primates has connections to research on teaching deaf children language as well.