Do animals have their own languages ?

  • Context: Lingusitics 
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around whether animals possess their own languages, exploring the nature of animal communication through sound, body language, and learned behaviors. Participants examine the potential for complex communication systems among various species, particularly in relation to human interaction and social learning.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that animals can communicate through sound and body language, but question the existence of a complex grammar system similar to human language.
  • There is a belief that while animals may not have words, they can convey meanings through specific sounds or gestures, such as a noise or a nudge indicating "come here."
  • One participant posits that animals likely have their own language, which could be understood if humans could translate it, hinting at the mysteries of animal communication.
  • Experiments with great apes indicate that these animals can learn to communicate effectively with humans using sign language, raising questions about their native communication abilities.
  • Concerns are raised about the transmission of learned communication skills among animals, particularly if those trained in captivity were to return to the wild.
  • Some participants argue that social learning plays a crucial role in how animals acquire behaviors, suggesting that different species may vary in their learning mechanisms.
  • There is a perspective that human training of animals, such as dogs, reflects a form of communication, where animals learn to respond to human cues and commands.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the complexity of animal communication, with no consensus reached on whether animals possess a language akin to human language. The discussion includes both supportive and skeptical perspectives regarding the capabilities of animals to communicate.

Contextual Notes

Some statements rely on assumptions about the nature of language and communication, and there are unresolved questions about the extent to which animals can learn and transmit communication skills.

CDplayer
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Do animals have their own languages ?
 
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They definitely can communicate by sound and body language (look for instance during courtship or at prairy dogs). I doubt that they'd have such a highly evolved grammar system as we do.
 
I don't think they would have words. but maybe a noise and a nudge could mean "come here"
 
Animal Language

Do animals have their own languages ?

Animals probally have their own language. Only if we could be able to translate what animals are, then we could fully understand what their communicating to us humans. Therefore, giving us humans the capability of unlocking the mysteries of their animal language!
 
We know from the experiments with 'great apes' (chimps, etc.) that these large primates can be taught to communicate very effectively with humans using sign language. I see no reason that a creature capable of using sign language wouldn't have some native facility for communicating with its own kind.

We also know from the above experiments, that these primates can pass sign language capabilities to their offspring. From that I have wondered what might happen if a few of those that learned sign language in captivity were then released back into their native environments. Would they then be able to pass it back?

KM
 
I think it is just the same as for example, the ways we acquire the behaviors in society, which social learning plays an essential part. And that species differs from each other only in the mechanisms of learning.


Monique said:
They definitely can communicate by sound and body language (look for instance during courtship or at prairy dogs). I doubt that they'd have such a highly evolved grammar system as we do.
...bsss...Sure, they don't have a highly evolved language system, but I strongly believe they have highly adaptabilities to variable environments, which can be easily seen especially in "hybrid" breeds. That is the way human beings want them to be...
 
I take it for granted that it is just a very easily recognizable way of thirsty men who want their dogs to have more lovely reactions to what they say. For instance, someone says to his German: hey, shake my hand--click-click-click---or after throwing his hat away, "go get it for me my cutie", etc. That I pressume is also a way to train his dog for it to learn how to behave when it hears him call.
Just an example of how animal recognize human (sign) language...
 

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