Non-Human Primates and Language Kimberly Porter Martin, Ph.D.

Primate Family Tree

Ape Family Tree

Primate Characteristics Larger brains than other mammals (Brain/Body ratio) Stereoscopic vision Color vision Opposible thumbs (and big toes) Prehensile grip Nails rather than claws Longer developmental period than other mammals

Differences between Humans and Apes Language? Culture? Present Vs Absent? Capacity Vs Complexity?

16 Features of Language 1)Uses the Vocal-auditory channel - can be done while doing other things 2)Uses broadcast transmission - need not see speaker to understand message 3)Uses directional reception - stereoscopic sound locates speaker 4)Interchangeability - each is capable of saying what any other says - not so male vs female signals in other animals

16 Features of Language 5) Complete feedback - speaker hears self and monitors message 6) Specialization - is used for no other purpose than communication 7) Semanticity – many complex symbols tied to exact meanings 8) Arbitrariness - no intrinsic relationship between symbols and their meanings

16 Features of Language 9) Discreteness - no continuous sounds (eg. sirens) 10) Displacement - can talk about the past, or about things not present spatially 11) Open system - can make unique new statements and be understood 12) Duality of patterning - sound and meaning are linked

16 Features of Language 13) Cultural transmission - no genetic inheritance of specific rules/sounds/meanings 14) Prevarication - can lie - most animals cannot 15) Reflexiveness - we use language to discuss language 16) Learnability - can learn multiple language

Features of Culture Requires abstract thinking Must be learned/acquired Allows flexibility and innovation Needs long developmental period for learning Requires larger and more complex brains