• mumblerfish@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    Is this true? I was listening to a lecture of I think it was a linguist on apes using sign language, saying that the evidence for them actually understanding language is… not great. Like it appear they just sign until their carers gets the right/expected answer. That they may want to say ‘apple’, but not finding the word, they can’t describe the shape, color, just random words util they hit the correct one, or something like that.

    • EfreetSK@lemmy.world
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      2 days ago

      Afaik yes, although I remember reading that (I think) Koko sort of asked something (I think it was “what color” or something like that). But at the same time I remember reading about similar criticism you mentioned, that Koko’s signs were often quite random and the caretakers often tried to make fun of the situation that “she’s just joking”.

      I should find that article …

      Edit: I don’t know if it was exactly this artice but it was similar

      https://bigthink.com/life/ape-sign-language/

      Edit 2: or this

      https://slate.com/technology/2014/08/koko-kanzi-and-ape-language-research-criticism-of-working-conditions-and-animal-care.html

    • pimento64@sopuli.xyz
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      2 days ago

      Longest non-human primate sentence on record:

      Give Orange Me Give Eat Orange Me Eat Orange Give Me Eat Orange Give Me You

    • theneverfox@pawb.social
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      2 days ago

      That’s just not true. Most of them simply aren’t interested in communicating with humans, they just care about the reward

      That’s what made Koko special. She was interested in communicating with humans, and her conversations were wild. It got existential

      • Doc_Crankenstein@slrpnk.net
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        1 day ago

        You have a severe case of anthropomorphizing animals plus a stark lack of education on animal behavioral sciences. You have zero idea what you’re talking about.

        Koko’s “conversations” were gibberish that the scientists conducting the experiments interpreted with extreme bias. They wanted there to be meaning in what the gorilla was doing so they over-interpreted it as if there was. It was a heavily flawed experiment.

        • theneverfox@pawb.social
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          1 day ago

          Bullshit. You just don’t speak any animal language

          I can tell you what a dog is thinking at any given moment. They’re so expressive I can dictate it in real time. They tell you where and how they want to be pet, they can understand time and remember names

          Koko was barely special. She spoke a form of sign language, and she enjoyed interspecies communication enough to devote time towards it. That’s what is rare

          Do you understand how much more they’ll have to say when we crack their language? Because it’s coming

            • theneverfox@pawb.social
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              1 day ago

              LMAO okay then. My comment will age like wine, your’s will age like milk

              Meet back in 5 years?

              • Doc_Crankenstein@slrpnk.net
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                1 day ago

                K bud. Go back to school. Take it from someone who focused on animal health and behavior during their degree path in wildlife conservation. You’re full of shit.