In the 1960s and 70s, psychologists conducted experiments with primates, particularly chimpanzees, to determine if they could learn sign language. One specific chimpanzee named Washoe became the first to acquire sign language and communicate with her human foster parents and psychology professors, Beatrix and Allen Gardner. Although chimpanzees can learn sign language, their grammatical abilities do not develop to the same extent as humans.
Were you aware that chimpanzees share almost 98% of their DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) with us? This is why we share numerous characteristics with them, such as expressive facial features, bipedal locomotion, and the ability to engage in affectionate behaviors like hugging and grooming. Chimpanzees have demonstrated themselves to be the most intelligent primates on Earth, second only to humans.
Their cognitive abilities, tool usage and food acquisition skills, and capacity to acquire new abilities posed an intriguing question: Can chimpanzees acquire proficiency in human languages, particularly in sign language?
In this article, our focus will be on a specific chimpanzee who successfully achieved this feat.
A chimpanzee engrossed in contemplation (Photo Credit: Pexels)Washoe
During the scorching month of June 1966, in the arid city of Reno, Nevada, Beatrix and Allen Gardner, both psychology professors with a pioneering interest in sign language studies for chimpanzees, encountered a 10-month-old baby chimpanzee for the very first time. They decided to name her Washoe, after the county she was found in. The Gardners’ goal was to teach young Washoe how to communicate with humans using American Sign Language (ASL). Ultimately, she became the first chimpanzee ever to acquire proficiency in sign language.
Allen and Beatrix Gardner adopted Washoe through cross-fostering, which means they raised Washoe, a member of one species, as if she belonged to another species. Washoe had a comfortable life in her new home, which was a trailer located in the Gardners’ backyard. The trailer was equipped with furniture, a kitchen, and a bathroom specifically for Washoe’s use. Additionally, Washoe had her own toys to play with, clothes to wear, and even her own toothbrush.
In her new home, Washoe enjoyed all the comforts that a small child could dream of. She dined with her foster parents and regularly went on car rides with the Gardners.
When interacting with Washoe, her trainers refrained from using spoken words and instead exclusively used sign language. The purpose behind this was to motivate her to utilize the same signs. Additionally, she was encouraged to develop her own simplified versions of the signs.
A photo credit is given to optimarc/Shutterstock for the image of hands demonstrating the sign language alphabet.
Generating New Vocabulary
When Washoe reached the age of three, she had developed the ability to communicate using over one hundred signs! She could accurately label objects and express their names, ranging from common words like “airplane,” “banana,” and “woman,” to more complex pronouns like “you.” Additionally, Washoe demonstrated the capability to combine multiple signs to form simple sentences.
The surprising aspect was her ability to invent new words and phrases to describe unfamiliar things. She even created her own sign for the word “bib” and referred to a swan as a “water bird”. Washoe’s capability to use existing words to represent new and unknown concepts amazed the world, as this skill was previously believed to be exclusive to humans.
Below are some examples of the phrases Washoe used to express herself:
– “Roger Washoe tickle”
– “Gimme tickle/Gimme more tickle”
– “Gimme please food”
– “Hurry gimme toothbrush”
– “You out go”
To see more of Washoe’s communication, watch the video.
Why Choose Sign Language?
Why did we specifically focus on teaching chimpanzees sign language? Why didn’t we try to teach them spoken language instead?
The Significance of Teaching Chimpanzees Sign Language
In order to comprehend the reasons behind the emphasis placed by linguists on teaching sign language to chimpanzees (as well as other primates like bonobos and gorillas), it is essential to examine the process of speech production in human beings.
When humans speak, they rely on three mechanisms: the lungs, which supply air and energy; the vocal folds, which generate sounds in the larynx – a tube that connects to the respiratory system; and lastly, the mouth, which molds and controls air using the teeth, tongue, and other parts of the mouth in order to produce speech.
Unlike humans, chimpanzees and other primates lack the ability to produce a diverse range of sounds. This is due to their motor systems not being adapted for speech production.
Organs of speech in human beings (Photo Credit : OpenStax College/Wikimedia commons)
In the 1930s and 1940s, there were two unsuccessful attempts to teach chimpanzees how to communicate through speech.
Gua, the chimpanzee, was looked after by Luella and Winthrop Kellogg and had the ability to comprehend around one hundred words! Nevertheless, she did not vocalize any of those words. On the other hand, Viki, the chimpanzee who was raised by Catherine and Keith Hayes, struggled greatly to acquire the ability to “speak” four (eventually seven) words with poor pronunciation, such as mama, papa, up, and cup. You can hear her here!
Linguists conducted experiments on teaching chimpanzees spoken language before attempting to teach them sign language. Washoe, who lived with the Gardeners until the 1970s, was later taken care of by Roger Fouts. In 1980, she was moved to Central Washington University, where she resided until her death in 2007 at the age of 42. During her time at the university, she taught sign language to her adopted son, Loulis, making him the first non-human primate to be taught sign language by another non-human primate.
The researchers who worked with Washoe were astonished to observe that she and the non-human primates who were taught sign language at later stages actively communicated with each other using sign language.
These insights reflected the potential implications of studying the psychology of animal behavior.
In conclusion, chimpanzees can indeed learn sign language if they receive instruction from a very young age.
Washoe and her Primate Companions: Communication and Socialization
Washoe, together with her fellow non-human primates, including Tatu, Moja, and her son Loulis, acquired the skill of sign language and effectively communicated among themselves. They were able to express their wants and cravings for various activities and treats effortlessly. Nevertheless, it was observed that they faced difficulties in interacting with other chimpanzees.
Having been constantly in the presence of humans throughout their lives, they were deprived of their natural environment. This deprivation was so severe that Washoe once expressed astonishment upon realizing that she was not the only chimpanzee in existence. Consequently, while chimpanzees can acquire the ability to communicate with humans, it is regarded as selfish and unethical to displace a species from its habitat solely for our convenience and advantage.