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Title: Would teaching a chimp or gorilla sign language be training or learning? Post by: jacobdono on Oct 5, 2016 I've been studying a lot of genetics from humans and apes but I'm still confused as to whether teaching an ape sign language would be training it to do use it situationally or whether the ape could apply that knowledge to a variety of contexts. I feel like doing a specific action or sign when the ape is hungry is not learning as we do as humans rather it is developing behaviours which they do similar to other animals developing behaviour which gives humans indication that they want something. Of course apes will have a more complex range of actions and function due to their relation to humans but I still feel like it more training than learning. What is everyone's thoughts on this?
Title: Re: Would teaching a chimp or gorilla sign language be training or learning? Post by: bio_man on Oct 5, 2016 Hmm, interesting question.
They do have linguistic abilities though. It is now generally accepted that apes can learn to sign and are able to communicate with humans. However, it is disputed as to whether they can form syntax (grammar) to manipulate such signs. For example, they might learn the sign language symbol for car, but won't know how to sign many cars - that's my assumption |