1. Animal and Human Communication What is language and are humans the only ones who have it?

2. Communication Transfer of information from one entity to another.
Types of communication include:
Chemical/Hormonal (within our bodies)
Electrical (eg. Fish)
Tactile
Visual
Auditory

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. Animal Communication
Bees

8. Vervet Monkeys Four distinct calls for four different preditors:
Python
Baboon
Leopard
Eagles

9. Some Animals Not Covered Here
WHALES
DOLPHINS
ELEPHANTS
BATS
PRAIRIE DOGS
BABOONS

10. Animals Considered Here
PARROTS
APES
Common Chimps
Bonobo Chimps
Orangutans
Gorillas

11. Animal Communication Is it language? EARLY SIGNING CHIMPS ALEX and ME
minutes
ALEX and ME
17 minutes
THE GENTLE GENIUS OF BONOBOS
17 minutes
CHANTEC and LYNN MILES
Minutes
MICHAEL’S STORY
KOKO LOVES KITTENS