How do animal communication systems differ from human language? Can primates acquire language?

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How do animal communication systems differ from human language? Can primates acquire language?

        It is a well established fact that animals are able to communicate with one another. Just like humans they need to convey information essential to survival to others around them. Communication can be defined as ‘the transmission of a signal from one animal to another, such that the sender benefits, on average, from the response of the recipient’ (Slater, 1983) In humans the main method of communication is often thought of as spoken language, but animals are physiologically incapable of speaking to each other. Through the evolutionary process they have developed highly specialised methods of non-verbal communication, many of which are not used by humans.

        Many animals use visual communication to convey information, an example of which can be seen in honeybees. Honeybees have developed a dance to communicate the location of nectar. When a bee returns to the hive after finding nectar it performs a ‘waggle’ dance to inform fellow workers where the food is located. Van Frisch (1955) discovered bees dance in a figure of eight, with the axis of the dance representing direction in relation to the sun, and the rate of the ‘waggle’ representing distance. It is thought a form of auditory communication accompanies this dance. Wenner (1964) found bees sometimes make a noise whilst doing this dance, and Esch ( 1967) found silent dances had little effect on the other bees. They also use olfactory communication. The smell of the nectar remains on the dancer, and the bees can locate the nectar by searching for the scent smelt on the dancer.

        Animals commonly use olfactory communication because their sense of smell is often much more advanced than that found in humans. Many mammals leave a scent, either to signal their territory boundaries, or to show they have been present in that area. Dogs leave their scent by urination. This is usually outside their territory boundaries, and acts as a message to other dogs.

        Linked to olfactory communication is communicating with pheromones. Pheromones are produced by one animal and can convey information to other members of the same species. The pheromones produce a physiological effect in the receiver, usually to prepare them for mating. Melrose et al. (1971) found if a sow in season is exposed to a particular pheromone she will immediately stand with her back arched ready for mating. Pheromone communication is also one of the few forms of olfactory communication possibly used by humans. Van Toller and Dodd (1988) believed that humans are affected by pheromones in a similar way to animals.

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        Both animals and humans are known to communicate with tactile communication. Spiders use touch to communicate to a possible mate. In one species the male approaches the female and gently strokes her, and in another species the male will shake the females web before approaching her to mate.

        Although animals are not physically capable of speaking most animal communication is still auditory. Bright (1984) argued that auditory communication is the most effective method of communication because unlike visual signals it can be used at night, can travel round corners, and can travel across a large area of territory.

        Two species ...

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