You know how some people have their pets use "speech buttons" such as Bunny the dog? I was thinking about Koko and how her sign language was poor.
Like, are primates in sanctuaries able to associate some words their keepers say to specific things? Like would a monkey recognize the word "Grape" for example if it was a favorite snack?
Could a monkey or gorilla learn "language" that way and "speak" to us like Bunny?
The issue when it comes to Koko’s sign language is/was not really a problem with expression, so much as with cognition and unreliable results. Sure, animals can point to symbols on a board, recognize cue cards, make gestures, or press buttons that mean things to us, but does that actually mean they understand what they mean beyond the result they create? Most animals know the words that represent the things they like best. It isn’t surprising that Bunny can use buttons to say “Mom - me - outside - walk”, because she knows that when these words get said they usually result in her getting taken out for a walk. That isn’t to say this isn’t impressive! but it is a different situation. Koko’s handlers were probably really good at inferring what she wanted from her gestures, but part of that was likely because when you have a relationship with any person or animal, you kind of get a feel for that. When my cat is pacing around and meowing at me I know what he wants, because that’s my kitty and friend. It’s similar to how parents of small children can interpret baby babble, but to outsiders it still sounds like nonsense even if the parents know that their kid is asking for applesauce. Because linguistics are so complex and adding animals adds further complications to the mix, it opens up a lot of debate and inquiry to what counts as actual understanding versus what is mimicry for a result/reward.
The crux of primate cognition and language studies, such as the ones conducted by ACCI, is not so much to see whether animals can recognize words or symbols and recreate them to earn a reward, but to see how much primates can learn and how complex they can make their communication. While animal/human communication may not be a straightforward path, it is still very interesting and worth looking at! Take this:
This is just one of the many lexigram boards used by the bonobos at ACCI. These boards have simple concepts like the names of foods, caregivers, and objects, but they can also be used to communicate more complex ideas if the bonobo is capable and willing. Communicating using a lexigram board, or through other methods such as the buttons you mentioned takes a level of intelligence, and also a level of patience and desire to take part. It can be hit or miss, but can be successful at least insofar as the animal being able to communicate their needs. Kanzi the bonobo is best known for his intelligence and lexigram use at ACCI; knowing, recognizing, and using the most symbols. Still, bonobos in general still use these boards largely to communicate basic desires in straightforward ‘specific symbol = I receive treat I want’ expressions. From the ACCI website, same link as above:
“The bonobos use the lexigram symbols to communicate with their human caregivers and visitors. For example, they are able to request their favorite foods, indicate which social partners they want to be with, and ask their caregivers to play '“water chase” with them. This is one more way the bonobos at Ape Initiative have choice in their daily lives! The bonobos all differ in their knowledge of the lexigrams, with Kanzi knowing the most symbols, so we make sure the bonobos always have access to a keyboard.”
So when it comes to primate/human communication, it isn’t the straightforward path it might appear to be. Is an animal expressing its thoughts and feeling, or basically button mashing to achieve a specific result without really understanding it further than that? Animals do not have the same minds as us, limited by their ability to express themselves, but are inconceivably different from stem to stern. This is a line of inquiry that has been studied for years, but I would also like to offer this for the average person:
How much does it matter? Sure, we shouldn’t anthropomorphize, and we should be aware of the facts behind cognition and communication studies and inquiries, but at the end of the day I think that if a primate (or any living creature really) is being treated well, having its needs met, and enjoys using communication tools, that’s great. We get a kick out of it, and as long as we keep it in proportion and don’t get carried away, we can all enjoy ourselves. I encourage you to research the subject if it interests you!
