Many people think that language is a distinct feature that only the human species inhabits; however, this is very false. Language as defined in the field of linguistics is a system of conventional spoken, signed, or written symbols used for the purpose of communication.
"The study of language in animals, often referred to as biolinguistics, ... it is assumed some animals can provide evidence of some linguistic competence" Manfred states.
Animals very clearly show their communication skills and put them to use in day to day life in order to survive. For example, bee dances may be considered some type of "signed" language. Chimpanzees also greet each other by touching hands which signifies some sense of understanding among the species.
"Every pet owner can testify her pet can deliver many messages regarding its needs and feelings. We can also see how animals react to communicative signs by other animals" Manfred also states.
Unfortunately for modern research, the studies of animal communication still seem limited in "both scope and results." The cumulative knowledge and data collected of animals has remained rather stagnant recently. The difficulty has been proven that natural communication in natural settings is hard and expensive to research. The patterns are also extremely difficult to be observed.
Manfred acknowledges many of the other specific issues that have risen studying animals and language. However, Manfred also lists some of the feats that have been accomplished as stated below:
Iconicity – symbolic use of language has been clearly demonstrated by apes, parrots and dolphins. These intelligent animals can attribute semantic content to a sign. This content can also be abstract (spatial relations, emotions, colours and numbers).
Syntax – Apes and dolphins show understanding of arbitrary structures indicative of relations. They can properly react to two different expressions, where the same symbols are used in different orders.
Displacement – Apes can refer to past events and to objects that are sensuously out of reach.
Discreteness – Apes, parrots and dolphins show understanding of the linear and discrete use of language.
Productivity – Apes can be productive, creating new words and utterances never heard before. They use language to communicate new ideas.
Recursiveness – No animal has so far been shown to understand recursive grammar.
It is most important to understand that animals do show aspects of communication which can teach humanity about how language is evolved. Animal cognition will hopefully continue to be studied and potentially prove influential in linguistic theory.
Source used:
Manfred Sailer Institut für England- und Amerikastudien (Section English Linguistics) Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main Grüneburgplatz 1 D-60629 Frankfurt am Main Germany Homepage: http://user.uni-frankfurt.de/~sailer/ Tel.: +49 - (0)69 - 798 32526 Fax: +49 - (0)69 - 798 32509 E-Mail: sailer "at" em "dot" uni-frankfurt "dot" de
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