What communications protocols ( or languages ) have been developed that allow us some form of communication with other animals? Which animals have we tried? Know of any well referenced links?
2006-07-12 08:34:42 · 5 answers · asked by rodneycrater 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Sign languages have been tried with chimps and gorillas. Other symbolic languages (colored plastic shapes) have also been tried with chimps.
Colored plastic shapes have been tried with dolphins too.
Google "Washoe"
2006-07-12 08:41:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Animals have communication systems, it's true, but they are not as capable of communicating abstract or novel ideas as human communication is. I once read a quote that said, "No matter how eloquently a dog barks, he can't tell you that his parents were poor but honest." For example, bees can communicate the location of food including information about direction, distance, and so forth, with their "dances", but they can't "talk" about anything else.
In the cases where chimpanzees, gorillas, etc. have been taught to use human communication like sign language, the quality of their sign language is still not like that of humans. Most of them never develop past the ability that a human child would have, according to my understanding.
2006-07-12 13:49:18 · answer #2 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on how you define communication. Chimps can learn a limited vocabulary in sign language. All animals can communicate with us in some way. We may not have a conversation with them, but a dog who leans against your leg is saying communicating he is your friend and if he steps on your foot he's trying to tell you that he's the dominant one. If we want to communicate with animals we need to think outside the box.
2006-07-12 09:39:17 · answer #3 · answered by gpashtun 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
all animals respond to gestures and corporal language, it has been successfully tried with many species form horses to lions and even elephants. with other animals that science has determined that have a higher level of understanding such as dolphins and chimps the sign language is used successfully. also other animals such as dogs and parrots seem to respond to common spoken language.
2006-07-12 08:55:23 · answer #4 · answered by chilse 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only way I can really think of is sign language with primates. Koko is probably the best example of this communication.
http://www.koko.org/
2006-07-12 08:38:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋