Animal and Human Communication

Lecture 2

What are the differences between language and ‘a’ language?

‘A language is a medium of communication specific to a society: it forms part of the culture of that society. Being a feature of the human race, language is inherited genetically, whereas we acquire a language from the society in which we spend our first years’ [Poole 1999:6]

Language = any code employing signs. symbols or gestures used for communicating ideas meaningfully between humans. It is a social tool used to communicate meaning, feelings and intentions, and comprises of two skills; receptive [understanding] and expressive [use] using both written and oral forms. It is one of the most valuable tools for humanity

Animal Communication - What can they do?

• Convey various messages to each other, such as feelings, warnings and desires [i.e, to mate]

• Communication refers to the ways animals send signals to one one another, these signals can be';

  • Vocal - barking, meowing, birdsong, whale song

  • Gestural - dog wagging tail, bee waggle dance to give directions to nectar

  • Chemical - ants using pheromones

  • Visual - peacocks displaying feathers

• Animal communication is often highly specialised and effective, but tend to be limited to specific functions, such as warnings, mating, or locating food.

Animal vs Human Communication

Humans = have both complex vocal and gestural skills in comparison to animals

Animals = lack the skills for discussing the past or future, and communication is entirely semantics driven [has a direct meaning, no understanding of humour, sarcasm, etc.

ANIMAL COMMUNICATION = While sophisticated in many species, it is an evolutionary tool for survival at its core

Animals can[t]..

• Learn hundreds of signs

• Associate meaning with signs and sounds

BUT: Most animal communication is ‘stimulus - response’ driven - something must prompt it. Animals cannot learn structure and independent production as well as speech is rare