Great ape language

Great ape language research historically involved attempts to teach <a href="/facts/Chimpanzee/JXSpFsHy">chimpanzees</a>, <a href="/facts/Bonobo/B4ddCJK4">bonobos</a>, <a href="/facts/Gorillas/akNvDd3d">gorillas</a>, and <a href="/facts/Orangutan/UNSyBlk5">orangutans</a> to communicate using imitative <a href="/facts/Human_speech/WEelhfTs">human speech</a>, <a href="/facts/Sign_language/Wjfl9Db6">sign language</a>, physical tokens and computerized <a href="/facts/Yerkish/9hjE0V1J">lexigrams</a>. These studies were controversial, with debate focused on the definition of language, the welfare of test subjects, and the <a href="/facts/Anthropocentrism/P9uozsxS">anthropocentric</a> nature of this line of inquiry.
The consensus among linguists remains that language is unique to humans.
Contemporary research has steered away from attempting to teach apes human language and focuses instead on observing <a href="/facts/Ape/QdTk4pko">apes</a>' intraspecies communication in zoos and natural habitats. This includes gestures, facial expressions, and vocalizations.

Great ape language open-in-new

Great ape language