ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Environment → Animals

Koko’s compassion might show to the world that gorillas communicate

Dragos MitricabyDragos Mitrica
July 16, 2014
in Animals, Psychology
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

Just a while ago, I told you how researchers translated the chimpanzee gesture language. It was a real breakthrough, since the work proved chimps are the first animals that we know of  that intentionally communicate through gestures inside their own society, apart from humans. There are other animals, however, that can be taught to emulate human language and directly communicate with us. The case of Koko the gorilla is perhaps the most famous and, at the same time, heartbreaking evidence of this idea.

Koko is a 38-year-old lowland Gorilla who not only learned to speak sign language as a baby but who has grown a love for kittens whom she treats like her own children. Koko could understand 1000 signs on the the American Sign Language system and over 2000 words of spoken English. The gorilla is deeply compassionate towards her feline friends, and could be seen often playing with her kitten friends or teaching them how to eat – she would pretend to bite, then would offer the morsel to the kittens.

One unfortunate day, one of Koko’s pet kitten escaped from the gorilla’s cage and was hit a car. Dr. Penny Patterson, her teacher and caretaker, informed her verbally and through sign language. Koko’s reaction follows.

koko_gorilla

koko_gorilla-

koko_gorilla

koko_gorilla1

RelatedPosts

A bilingual brain can help you filter out information efficiently
Whale Songs Follow the Same Mathematical Rule as Human Language
Languages with large vocabularies have simple grammar, study suggests
Gorillas are more related to humans than previously thought, complete genome sequence shows

Here’s the complete video, too.

So, does this mean that Koko understands human language? There’s an immense amount of debate surrounding Koko and Dr. Patterson. A lot of scientists believe Dr. Patterson has gravely overestimated Koko’s ability to comprehend human language, since there has yet to be one definite proof. It is generally accepted that she understands words but it is grammar she lacks. And grammar is the most important part of actually communicating. She can sign several words and such but she doesn’t make them consistent and can’t actually form sentences. It is because of this most people assert Koko doesn’t in fact communicate. You can learn more and read up on opinions that both support and criticize claims of Koko’s ability to communicate at the Wikipedia article.

If in fact Koko can communicate, how will the world react when it finds out what was always classed colloquially as a ‘dumb animal’ is capable of feelings, emotions, thoughts and form opinions expressing these? A more important question that might need addressing is whether we actually need any proof whatsoever to treat any living being with the respect we’d show to our fellow homo sapiens.

Tags: gorillalanguagelinguistics

ShareTweetShare
Dragos Mitrica

Dragos Mitrica

Dragos has been working in geology for six years, and loving every minute of it. Now, his more recent focus is on paleoclimate and climatic evolution, though in his spare time, he also dedicates a lot of time to chaos theory and complex systems.

Related Posts

Animals

Wild Chimpanzees Are Combining Calls in Ways That Mirror Human Speech, Hint At Origins of Language

byTudor Tarita
1 month ago
Archaeology

This Ancient Runestone Might Be the Oldest Ever Found — and It’s Full of Mystery

byMihai Andrei
3 months ago
Mind & Brain

A Dutch 17-Year-Old Forgot His Native Language After Knee Surgery and Spoke Only English Even Though He Had Never Used It Outside School

byRupendra Brahambhatt
3 months ago
Genetics

When Did Humans First Speak? New Genetic Clues Point to 135,000 Years Ago

byTibi Puiu
3 months ago

Recent news

What’s Seasonal Body Image Dissatisfaction and How Not to Fall into Its Trap

June 28, 2025

Why a 20-Minute Nap Could Be Key to Unlocking ‘Eureka!’ Moments Like Salvador Dalí

June 28, 2025

The world’s oldest boomerang is even older than we thought, but it’s not Australian

June 27, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.