Blog 3

Mary Elizabeth Lowe
English 1101
Dr. Hughes
04 September 2009

Language is a vital part of our existence which serves as a tool of communication not only between humans but animals as well. While animals might not be able to verbally speak to us, I know that certain requests are made and offered. Dogs for example prove this fact on a daily basis. When a dog is hungry he or she sits and stares at the food bowl. When play is desired, jumping and yelping emanates from the animal. This intentional body language is a part of communication but I believe animals have the potential for far greater bounds in language if certain characteristics and training were present.
Within Yule’s research about animal communication there were several astounding instances of this such as Washoe, the signing chimpanzee, and Sara, the symbol speaking chimpanzee. These are phenomenal examples of animals being able to communicate with humans, even if it be on a toddler’s level. One definite advantage chimpanzees have though, is the physical attributes which are very similar to a human’s hands and arms. It quickly becomes apparent that in order to communicate in American Sign Language, these physical similarities are quite necessary. This fact persuades me to think that only monkey varieties of animals would be able to communicate on a human level of sign language simply due to the observation of physical attributes. Even if dogs or cats were brilliant and great thoughts were considered in their minds, they would have no way of expressing those discoveries and emotions except through futile barking. This is very similar to the plight of the vocabulary limited person. Even if an individual contemplates earth shattering thoughts, they do not have the necessary tools to communicate them to the world.
Moving forward on the purposed belief that animals contain thoughts, those reflections would only be able to be exposed to humans if a new system of communication was used or invented. Instead of sign language Morse code or paining could be a means of communicating to people. However, since I do not think this is a plausible future reality, I would have to say domestic animals have virtually reached their limit concerning intentional communication with humans. This chapter enlightened me to a world of language powers, but I do not think animals have a patient enough disposition or the needed physical or mental qualities to continue any further down the road of communication. While potential is a goal upon the horizon, does anyone ever truly reach this ambition? I believe only time will tell in both the animal and the human world.