Are gorillas using sign language really communicating with humans?
Dear Cecil: What is the bottom line with Koko the gorilla’s ability to learn sign language? I know she only communicates through her handler, who seems to engage in a great deal of subjective translation. I saw an excerpt in Harper’s Magazine of a supposed Internet chat with Koko a few years ago that made me rather dubious that the gorilla was capable of any use of language. Nonetheless, there is a strong perception out there that Koko has learned to sign. What is the straight dope? — Fabian Braithwaite Don’t be too hard on Koko, Fabian. If you judged strictly from Internet chat, you’d have to question the linguistic abilities of many humans. (D00dz!) Scientists have debated for years whether gorillas really understand language or are just, you know, aping us. The consensus among animal researchers seems to be that they understand at some level, but are less adept at using language themselves. When I read transcripts of Koko’s alleged conversations I often think: Jeez, a trained monkey
