How do YOU think the future role of monkeys/apes will change if they learn ASL?

Question

And how would it affect us?

PS: no stealing from "planet of the apes".

Answer 1

they will work like maids or dogd in our houses

Answer 2

One thing's for sure - there'd be a lot more smack-talking down at the zoo.

Seriously, though, monkeys have never been taught ASL. It has successfully been taught, with a very limited vocabulary, to gorillas and chimps in captivity.

However.

Those apes then passed on an even smaller portion of that vocabulary when they were entrusted to teach ASL to another ape. And that ape in turn passed on even less, and then it just faded away. So apes have the capacity to communicate in ASL - but only with the persistent intervention and involvement of humans.

Which just reinforces the fact that language is one of the most crucial elements of being human, and our success as a species. Which you might not think if you've ever listened to the lyrics of "The Pina Colada Song", but it's true.

(And a final note - this isn't to say that monkeys and apes don't communicate in other ways. Even birds do it. Bees do it. Monkeys and chimps in the trees do it. They just do it with shrieks, barks and hoots.)

Answer 3

In order for a primate to learn ASL it must be imbedded into the culture. The successful studies have taken young apes and treated them almost like children, exposing them to as many signs as possible while at this critical age of learning (Washoe and Koko). Beyond ASL, lexigrams are used in some studies, here a symbol that stands for a word is used in communication. While there is always debate in the cognitive ability of apes, I know that the lexigram studies are very successful (look up Sue Savage-Rumbaugh or Kanzi). I am not familiar with monkeys learning ways of communicating.

Apes that can communicate with humans in these ways are special. They have the highest chance of living in enriched environments.

When looking at the entire population of primates, I doubt many that live outside these testing environments will learn forms of communication such as ASL. While having the capability to learn, they do not need to. They communicate with others in their species without many problems.

Living in a “Planet of the Apes” like world is not going to happen. Even when apes can communicate with humans precautions are taken to keep the ape out of contact with strangers. Humans’ excitement with seeing another form of ape is often interpreted as an attack, so the basically the humans are protected.

Answer 4

Perhaps humans will follow their usual course and make slaves of them. They will certainly be some discrimination and possibly some horror. Can You imagine 3 or 4 chimps or a couple of Silver Backs walking in to Baskin Robbins and ordering a banana milkshake? Certainly they will be mistreated, just check out your local zoo.

Many Primates have already learned ASL. The first one I recall is Washoe. a young chimp trained by Allen and Beatrice Gardner in the 1960s experiment. I believe it was the first use of American Sign Language in primate communication. There are other, more recent experiments, as well.
There is much debate over whether these primates "learn" ASL or are "trained" to use it. There is good evidence for both sides, and much difference between the two..

Answer 5

As far as I know, apes don't have a "culture" or anything like that where they could set up schools and teach each other the "language". They know what some signs mean, but i don't think they will be taught ASL world wide, because it wouldn't benefit us or serve any purpose.

Answer 6

I hope not because then Bush would have to go invade their country in search of WMD then instate a democracy.
He's already got check points out side the monkey exhibits.

Answer 7

Not unless they as a society learn to teach it to each other and use it to communicate. Thus far, it has only been taught to them by humans, not acquired naturally within their own society.

Answer 8

No. I think they lack the capacity for rational thought. Could you imagine if someone bumped in line in front of a 400 lbs. mountain gorilla. It could get messy.

Answer 9

it wont change their future it will only fulfill the destiny bestowed upon them by the natural order of life or the plan of all creations' creator whomever or whatever that may be .

Answer 10

not much. I don't think that will happen. unless they land in a space craft from the future. to tell us they were our slaves and they rebelled, killed us off. and came back to see if the statue of liberty was still standing. and to finish us off. nope don't think so. !!!