Posted in Primate Communication, Smith on Apr 18th, 2012
Marcus C. Coleman, Ruslan Ardashev In this research collaboration, we explore evolutionary and physiological factors that contribute to ape communicative success. To do so, we first establish that apes indeed demonstrate a capacity for a rudimentary grasp of language in studies. We examine implications of picture-on-keyboard, or lexigram, based studies, in addition to self-generated communication [...]
Read Full Post »
Posted in Primate Communication, Smith on Apr 18th, 2012
Ariel Wainer, Ellen Hammett In humans and non-human primates, the likeness of the genomes and the anatomical semblance of the brains suggest similarities in cognitive states. Genetics as well as the environment have been noted to influence the development of cognitive states, particularly language acquisition and social cognition, among apes. I argue that while the [...]
Read Full Post »
Posted in Primate Communication, Smith on Apr 18th, 2012
Bo Peng, Nancy Su Recent research have been trying to investigate the evolutionary relationship between primate communication and human vocal language, seeing that primates have been able to demonstrate communicative abilities that were once thought to be solely a human ability. It seems that the development of the primate brain plays a role in this [...]
Read Full Post »
Posted in Primate Communication, Smith on Apr 18th, 2012
Julianna Miller, Yaqi Zhang The discussion of whether nonhuman animals have the theory of mind has been a controversial topic since the 17 century. As humans’ closest biological kin, primates are frequently chosen as subjects in exploring the mental development as well as linguistic and communication ability among animals. The resemblance of mental activities between [...]
Read Full Post »
Posted in Primate Communication, Smith on Apr 18th, 2012
Richy Yun, Taylor Pope There are two main modes of communication observed in the animal kingdom: vocal and gestural. Human communication is mostly predominated by speech rather than gestures. However, ape gestures show much more complexity, such as intentionality and flexibility, whereas vocalizations are prone to spontaneity and have only one definitive meaning. Further neurological [...]
Read Full Post »
Posted in Primate Communication, Smith on Apr 18th, 2012
Shengtang Li In primate language studies, the question of whether primates can aquire language is often debated. In this article, I argue that based on the components of language derived from the definitions of language, primates do not possess human language. Different components such as spontaneity, intentionality, flexibility, and displacement listed in the definition language [...]
Read Full Post »
Posted in Primate Communication, Smith on Apr 18th, 2012
Paul Pisani and Emma Arata In the late 1990s, C. M. Heyes wrote a detailed review of the last several decades’ worth of research in primate cognition. She responded to Premack and Woodruff’s famous question, “Do chimpanzees have a theory of mind,” with a definitive ‘no.’ However, she did suggest that different conclusions might be [...]
Read Full Post »
Posted in Primate Communication, Smith on Apr 18th, 2012
Carly Field There are many theories for the origin of human language, most involving evolution from our closest ancestors, primates, but this can’t account for all human language abilities. To understand and use a complex language, a species needs certain traits and cognitive abilities including the means for gestural and vocal communication, word learning, grammar, and [...]
Read Full Post »