120 | Sign Language With Primates | Why We Do What We Do
What to Expect
People have been curious about the language of other species, and specifically if other species can learn human language. In the 1960’s and 1970’s some researchers in the United States believed that they had broken the species language barrier by teaching primates sign language. But where are all of the signing apes now? Shane and Abraham discuss the history and controversy of the trials and attempts to teach language to primates.
Listen in, and remember that you can reach us directly at 775.525.0908, at info@wwdwwdpodcast.com, through the comments below OR on social via @wwdwwdpodcast or #wwdwwdpodcast.
Links for Today:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/guy-simultaneously-raised-chimp-and-baby-exactly-same-way-see-what-would-happen-180952171/ (The story of Gua, the first chimp raised as a baby human to vocally speak human language)
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/six-talking-apes-48085302/ (a non-skeptical summary of various attempts to teach language to primates)
https://slate.com/technology/2014/08/koko-kanzi-and-ape-language-research-criticism-of-working-conditions-and-animal-care.html (a skeptical summary of research with Koko, Kanzi, and Washoe)
https://www.dissentmagazine.org/online_articles/the-sad-story-of-nim-chimpsky (the story of Nim Chimpsky and HerbertTerrace)
Davidson, K., Hopson, J. "Gorilla Business." San Francisco Examiner. 10 Apr. 1988, Newspaper: 14-36.
Gardner, M. "More on Ape Talk." The New York Review of Books. 2 Apr. 1981, Newspaper.
Sheaffer, R. "Psychic Vibrations." Skeptical Inquirer. 1 Oct. 1988, Volume 13, Number 1: 31-32.
Terrace, H., Petitto, L., Sanders, R., Bever, T. "Can an Ape Create a Sentence?" Science. 23 Nov. 1979, Volume 206, Number 4421: 891-902.
Wallman, J. Aping Language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1992.
Wynne, C. "Aping Language." Skeptic Magazine. 1 Oct. 2007, Volume 13, Number 4. (twins of Auschwitz story)
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The Why We Do What We Do Crew
Scott "Abraham" Miller | Host & Producer
Ryan O'Donnell (RYANO) | Co-host, Producer, & Social
Tyler Bessire | Videographer
Miranda Marie Drake | Contributing Member
Shane Spiker | Co-Host
Brittany Marie DiSanti | Researcher & Writer
Brit Bauerle | Researcher & Writer
Amber Groat | Marketing
Michelle Danico | Researcher & Writer
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Justin Greenhouse | Musician & Producer
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120 | Sign Language With Primates | Why We Do What We Do