Introduction
The ability of non-human animals to acquire and use language is not well understood. Irene Pepperberg introduces her pet, a gray parrot she named Alex. She used the bird to research animals’ linguistic and cognitive abilities, specifically birds. Previous research carried out on chimpanzees indicated they have linguistic and cognitive abilities. This essay argues that non-human species can and utilize language skills, but humans have a challenge understanding the language.
Animal Communication: When Understanding Their Language Eludes Us
Careful observation of non-human animals indicates they communicate but use language that humans cannot easily understand. The case of Irene and her pet, Alex, is proof of this claim. Irene says whenever Alex did wrong, he would say, “I’m sorry.” This shows Alex had acquired language which he was able to use. Language is using words in a structured and conventional way to pass information.
Language involves the use of speech, writing, or gesture to pass information. The fact that Alex used the words “I’m sorry” whenever he wronged shows he had acquired and could use language at the right time. Like the diverse human languages that create communication barriers among people from various ethnicities and races, non-human animals have a language that people cannot easily understand.
There are instances when we are convinced animals communicate, but we cannot properly understand the language. For example, a cow produces different sounds when it wants to be milked and when it sees others stray. Farmers have learned to understand what each sound means. Once the cow’s needs are satisfied, it does not produce sound anymore, meaning the farmer properly understood the cow’s language and acted. Animals have language, but the main barrier to communication with humans is the inability of humans to understand the animals’ language.
To understand animal language, humans must be in close contact with animals. Irene, for example, trained Alex to speak many words audibly (Alex & Me, 2008). She reports that Alex could pronounce many words correctly. In this case, Irene was Alex’s source of language.
Conclusion
Although animals use language we do not understand, other animals with whom they associate will most likely understand it. For example, having spent much time with Alex, Irene says she could understand what Alex meant by words such as ‘Alec,’ which she says meant Alex (Alex & Me, 2008). The acquisition and utilization of language among non-human animals need more research for better understanding.
Reference
‘Alex & Me’: the hidden world of animal minds (2008). NPR. Web.