Aping Language

This book critically evaluates experiments aimed at teaching language to apes, comparing their performance with children's language development. Aping Language also explores the neurological aspects of language.

In Aping Language, the author provides a thorough examination of recent experiments aimed at teaching language—both natural and invented—to apes. The performance of these animals is meticulously compared to the semantic and syntactical development observed in children, whether they are speaking or using sign language. This comparative analysis sheds light on the complexities of language acquisition and the inherent differences between human and non-human communication.

The book delves into the neurological and cognitive attributes that define human language capabilities, questioning the very essence of what distinguishes human communication from that of other species. The author argues that language is often viewed as the quintessential human trait, serving as both evidence and source of our transcendent qualities. However, the debate surrounding the defining features of language complicates our understanding of its presence in nonhuman animals.

Ultimately, Aping Language challenges the reader to consider the assumptions made by experimenters regarding apes' ability to acquire language. By analyzing the communication methods of nonhuman primates in their natural environments, the author raises critical questions about the validity of these experiments and the broader implications for our understanding of language as a uniquely human attribute.