Chimpanzees can speak like humans! New evidence emerges
A team of speech experts and psychologists from Sweden, England, and Switzerland has found that at least three chimpanzees have learned to speak human words by studying old videos. Their research indicates that these animals can develop this ability under the right conditions.
For decades, scientists have wondered why humans are the only primates to develop speech. While some great apes have learned to communicate using vocal sounds, there is little evidence of them using spoken language.
CHIMPANZEES CAN SPEAK PRIMITIVELY
This has led to a debate between researchers who believe the difference is due to throat physiology and those who think it stems from differences in the brain. Others have suggested that some great apes, such as chimpanzees, can speak human words at a primitive level.
Researchers highlight a notable example where a couple adopted a baby chimpanzee and kept it in their home for several years, trying to teach it to say simple words like "mama," "papa," or "cup." However, the study was discredited over the years due to ethical concerns about separating the chimpanzee from its natural mother.
NEW RESEARCH PROVEN THROUGH VIDEOS
The new study sought to determine whether previous dismissals of these findings were warranted. The researchers searched for video evidence of such training attempts and found three videos demonstrating that chimpanzees can be taught to speak human words at a basic level.
In one video made by the couple, the chimpanzee said "papa" at least three times and "cup" once. Another video on YouTube showed a chimpanzee named Johnny saying "mama." A separate video from Italy featured another chimpanzee also saying "mama."
The researchers note that the chimpanzees' pronunciation differs from human speech but describe their attempts as "essentially word-like." They suggest this finding shows that great apes can speak some human words under the right conditions.
