Learned vocal and breathing behavior in an enculturated gorilla
Marcus Perlman1, Nathaniel Clark
1Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1202 W. Johnson St., Madison, WI, 53707, USA, mperlman@wisc.edu.
Animal Cognition
|July 4, 2015
Summary
Great ape vocal learning: Koko the gorilla demonstrated voluntary control over nine distinct vocal and breathing-related behaviors (VBBs). This suggests early evolution of language capacities in our shared ancestors.
Area of Science:
- Primate Behavior
- Evolutionary Linguistics
- Animal Communication
Background:
- Enculturated great apes offer unique insights into vocal learning.
- Understanding the origins of human language requires studying non-human primate vocalizations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document and analyze the learned vocal and breathing-related behaviors (VBBs) of the gorilla Koko.
- To investigate the volitional control and multimodal context of Koko's VBBs.
- To infer the evolutionary history of vocal learning and language precursors.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of a large video corpus documenting Koko's behavior.
- Systematic observation and cataloging of 439 VBBs across 161 behavioral bouts.
- Detailed examination of the coordination between breathing, laryngeal, and supralaryngeal articulators.
Main Results:
- Identified nine distinctive VBBs performed by Koko with voluntary control.
- Observed variable coordination of respiratory, laryngeal, and articulatory systems during VBBs.
- Found that each VBB was integrated with specific manual actions and gestures.
Conclusions:
- Koko's VBB repertoire demonstrates sophisticated vocal learning and volitional control in a gorilla.
- Multimodal vocalization in great apes may reflect early stages of language evolution.
- Rudimentary capacities for vocal learning and control likely existed in the last common ancestor with great apes.
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