Bi-Species Culturalization Experiments - Essay Example

An ANALYSIS OF BI-SPECIES CULTURALISATION EXPERIMENTS (KANZI, PAMBENISHA AND NYOTA Can we consider the Bonobo's use of the lexigram board to beequal to the use of language There were 256 lexigrams on the board. Each lexigram stands for an English word and the keys when pressed sound the respected words accordingly. These are abstract signs and are not linked to the meanings. There are also lexigrams for English grammar such as verbs, adjectives and adverbs other than nouns. By combining these lexigrams, Bonobos are able to form simple sentences and communicate their wishes and feelings. As in the video, Pambanisha wishes to have MNMs using the lexigram. The lexigram board was of an extreme help for the Bonobo to use English. It not only helped the Bonobos to construct sentences but also helped them to develop a skill in grammar. Verbs Adverbs and Adjectives helped the Bonobos to use the forms of grammars just like the human beings can. As in the video, Pambanisha declared the caretakers as "bad", for playing a trick with Liz. It clearly illustrated that even chimpanzees can use grammar like the human beings. If given proper guidance the chimpanzees can work as they are asked to and can understand the language of the human beings. This experiment was a remarkable effort by Dr Sue Savage Rumbaugh in finding the effect of lexigram boards on the chimpanzees and clearly illustrated the intellectual power of the monkeys. The English grammar used by the monkeys showed that they can understand what they were being taught. At times the monkeys even reacted to whatever they were asked to do. This was an example of the intellect in the monkeys. The experiment clearly showed that Bonobos not only comprehend the human language but also act according to the instructions given. 2. Significance of Pambenisha's writing Pambenisha didn't go out for several days and thus was exhausted and sick of the environment. This forced her to do things which were quite unusual and unexpected but were of a great importance. To express her feelings, Pambenisha took a piece of chalk and started writing with the chalk on the floor. Firstly in the video it is shown that Pambenisha is writing quite far from Dr Sue but after a while when she realizes that Dr Sue is not paying attention to her writing she moves a bit closer to Dr Sue. And Pambenisha starts writing again near Dr Sue. This shows that Pambenisha is trying to express her feelings and inner emotions to Dr Sue. And when Dr Sue realized that Pambenisha was writing something on the floor she took a great notice. Upon findings it is known that Pambenisha drew an A-frame. This A-frame is meaningless if the lexigram board is not reviewed. The lexigram describes the A-frame drawing as 'a hut in the woods'. This shows that Pambenisha was interested in going out somewhere to another place. Pambenisha does not stop writing over here and she again draws 'a flat rock' which according to the lexigram board is a place in the woods. And she writes further on the floor to express her feelings. This time she draws a 'collar' which she usually wears when she goes out. This clearly illustrated that Pambenisha was interested in going out to the hut in the woods. The drawings were not drawn as perfectly as in the lexigram board. But it can be clearly understood what Pambenisha means if the drawing is analyzed carefully and compared to the lexigram board. This writing of Pambenisha taught her a new way through which she could express her inner feelings and communicate with others. According to Dr. Sew the best possible way to make someone learn is not to teach them, instead of using the language around them. The curiosity to do the same what your beloved is doing, leads to the learning of new things. 3. What is the significance of the Bonobo's use of tools to our investigation of language origins Dr Sue's analysis has been of great significance and has brought revolution in the communication between a man and a chimpanzee. It has given a new birth to the language origins. It has derived many important conclusions which can be of help in the future research about language tools and communication. Dr Sue designed an experiment which was quite successful in determining the actions of the chimpanzees. It even gave a way to the comparing of actions of the chimpanzees to that of the humans. The chimpanzees gave a great response to the lexigram board. It helped them to communicate with the human beings and also to express their own feelings to the humans. It showed that the language of humans can be understood by the chimpanzees if they are taught in a proper manner. This experiment has given a new beginning to the communication between human beings and the chimpanzees. It clearly illustrated that chimpanzees can understand the language of the human beings and can react accordingly. Kanzi designed tools just like our ancestors did. He took two rocks in his hands and stroke them so that he could make flakes. Flakes are sharp pieces of rock which can be useful in cutting things. He wanted to use the flakes as a tool to cut the upper covering of the pot. After cutting the pot he wanted to get the plastic bag from it. Many million years back our ancestors used these same flakes to cut things and the chimpanzees are using the same tools to complete their tasks. This shows that the chimpanzees are using the same old methods of our ancestors and they can analyze the methods of human beings. Language origins can be known by improving the communication gap between the human beings and the chimpanzees. The use of tools portrays the understanding that the chimpanzees have about the human beings. Thus it can lead to further conclusions by the researchers on the issue of the understanding and behaviors of the chimpanzees. 4. What evidence is there for Dr. Sue's conclusion that Bonobo chimps are aware of past, present and future and what is the significance of this with regard to language use Dr. Sue conducts an experiment to check whether Pambenisha has the concept of present past and future or not. Dr. Sue gives a mirror to Pambenisha and Pambenisha breaks it as she did the day before. Dr. Sue communicates her using the board. She declares that Pambenisha is "bad" and she won't go out to get "eggs" and "blueberry". Pambenisha gets the concept of this punishment and shows her grief and disappointment. She communicates with Dr Sue and tries to convey the message that she's "good". Dr. Sue gives her a hope and conveys the concept by saying that "Tomorrow is a new day! "Tomorrow" you can be "good" by not breaking any mirror" Dr. Sue communicates further and tells her that she won't go out because she has broken two mirrors so far, she broke one mirror yesterday and one today! Dr. Sue promises Pambenisha that if she won't break a mirror, she would take her out and get eggs and blueberries for her. The next day, Dr. Sue gives a mirror to Pambenisha and goes out reminding her the same promise. Pambenisha holds the mirror but doesn't break it, instead she hands the mirror to another researcher in order to avoid the temptation of breaking the mirror. When Dr. Sue comes back and asks for the mirror, she observes it unbroken. She gives Pambenisha that they'll go out and get eggs. Pambenisha remembers the promise of getting both eggs and blueberries and tells Dr. Sue using the board. This communication was possible because Pambenisha had clear concepts of present, past and future, and also act accordingly. 5. What evidence does Dr. Sue give us that Pambenisha is capable of seeing the world from another person's point of view Why is this important in language development Dr Sue Savage gives a perfect experiment for the analysis of the monkey's intellect. It clearly shows that the monkeys have the power to use the other person's point of view and act accordingly. In the experiment conducted Pambenisha is able to tell what the other person is thinking about the material held inside the box. And thus to prove this effect a mind test was done on Pambenisha in which Liz asked Sue for a pack of MNM in the company of Pambenisha. And in reply Sue agreed putting a pack of MNMs in a box for Liz. But as Liz left, Sue replaces the candy pack in the box, with a bug in the presence of Pambenisha. When Liz comes back, she acts as if she is having difficulties while opening the box and at the same point Sue asks Pambenisha as to what Liz is looking for in the box. Pambenisha in reply points to the lexigram board to a frame which indicates that Liz is looking for candy in the box. Not even this but Pambenisha was even able to realize the fact that Liz had been cheated as she told the caretakers that what they did to Liz was 'bad'. This clearly illustrates that Pambenisha has the capability to understand the perspective of other people. This illustration has been very important in the development of the language skills of the monkeys. This illustration can help the monkeys to develop an understanding about the language and how to use in different circumstances. 6. Would it be possible/likely that primates may become language users through natural evolution Recent researchers are developing new strategies in determining the language usage of the monkeys. And it has greatly helped in determining the way they use language. Research conducted by different researchers has shown that monkeys can understand and react to the actions of the human beings. If the monkeys are properly trained and told what they should do, they can and will do it accordingly. If they are kept in the company of a human being they may pick up certain actions and habits of the human beings. Environment plays a great role in providing the monkeys with a platform to learn the language of human beings. The monkeys may not be able to talk like the humans but they can act according to the instructions they are provided, if they are provided a safe environment in which they are treated equally like others. As time is passing by, monkeys are being specially trained which can be of a great importance as after a certain period of time they may act exactly like the human beings. If the generation of monkeys is taught properly and gets used to the living of the human beings and starts understanding the language it is possible that the next evolution of the monkeys may be sharper and may adapt to the conditions well. Bibliography: SAVAGE-RUMBAUGH, E. S., D 1946-. (1993). Bonobo people. [Athens, Ga.], Public Sphere; [and Language Research Center, Georgia State University]. SAVAGE-RUMBAUGH, E. S. (1998). Chimp talk. Princeton, N.J., Films for the Humanities & Sciences. SAVAGE-RUMBAUGH, E. S., ROMSKI, M. A., RUMBAUGH, D. M., & EGGER, T. (1986). Ape language from conditioned response to symbol. University Park, PA, University Division of Media and Learning Resources, the Pennsylvania State University [distributor]. Read More