Welcome to Topic 10: Human vs. Animal Communication
Have you ever looked at a bird singing or a dog barking and wondered, "Are they actually talking to each other?" In this chapter, we explore the work of Jean Aitchison (1983). She wanted to figure out if animal communication is just a simpler version of human language, or if human language is something completely unique.
By the end of these notes, you’ll understand the "checklist" Aitchison created to define what makes a "true" language and how animals compare to us. Don't worry if it sounds a bit scientific—we will break it down step-by-step!
What is Communication?
Before we dive into the details, let’s define communication. It is simply the passing of information from one organism to another. Animals do this all the time! For example, bees do a "waggle dance" to tell others where food is, and vervet monkeys have different alarm calls for different predators.
However, language is considered a very specific, advanced form of communication. Aitchison (1983) argued that for communication to be called "language," it must meet certain criteria.
Aitchison’s Criteria of Language (1983)
Aitchison identified several features that define human language. Here are the four most important ones you need to know for your exam:
1. Displacement
This is the ability to talk about things that are not happening right here and right now. Humans can talk about what they did last summer, or what they plan to do in ten years. Most animals can only communicate about things in the present (e.g., "There is a predator right there!").
Example: If you tell your friend about a movie you saw yesterday, you are using displacement.
2. Productivity (Creativity)
This is the ability to create an infinite number of new sentences. Humans don't just repeat fixed phrases; we combine words in new ways to express new ideas. Animals generally have a "closed" system—they have a set number of signals they can use and they don't usually invent new ones.
Example: You could say, "The purple elephant danced on the moon while eating a taco." Even though that’s a nonsense sentence, you can create it and others can understand it!
3. Semanticity
This means that specific sounds or symbols have specific meanings. In human language, words represent objects, actions, or ideas. While some animals have this (like the monkey alarm calls), human semanticity is much more complex and covers abstract ideas like "love" or "justice."
4. Structure Dependency
Human language relies on grammar and patterns. The meaning of a sentence changes depending on the order of the words. Animals don't seem to use structured "sentences" where the order of sounds changes the meaning in a complex way.
Example: "The dog bit the man" means something very different from "The man bit the dog." This is structure dependency.
Quick Tip: Think of these criteria as a "VIP Club" for communication. To get into the "Language Club," you need all four stamps on your hand!
Similarities Between Human and Animal Communication
It isn't all different! There are some things we share with our animal friends:
- Signs and Symbols: Both humans and animals use signals to convey meaning (e.g., a growl means "stay away," just like a "Stop" sign means "don't go").
- Purpose: Both use communication to survive, find food, defend territory, and look after their young.
- Non-verbal Cues: Both use body language and facial expressions (like baring teeth) to show emotion.
Key Differences: Why Humans are Unique
Aitchison (1983) highlighted that while animals are great communicators, they usually lack the combination of features that humans have. Here is a quick comparison table:
Feature: Displacement
Humans: Can talk about the past, future, or imaginary places.
Animals: Mostly restricted to the "here and now."
Feature: Productivity
Humans: Infinite possibilities; we can say things that have never been said before.
Animals: Limited, fixed set of signals.
Feature: Learning
Humans: Language is mostly learned from our environment and culture.
Animals: Communication is largely innate (meaning they are born knowing how to do it).
Summary: The Key Takeaway
Jean Aitchison (1983) suggests that while animal communication is impressive, it is not the same as human language. Humans have a unique "open" system that allows for displacement (talking about other times/places) and productivity (creating new messages). Animal communication is generally "closed" and focused on immediate survival.
Did you know? Some researchers have tried to teach apes sign language. While they can learn many symbols (semanticity), they rarely master structure dependency or create complex new sentences like a human child would!
Quick Review Quiz
Check your understanding with these three questions:
- What did Aitchison mean by 'displacement'?
- Which feature allows humans to create an unlimited number of sentences?
- Is animal communication usually innate or learned?
(Answers: 1. Communicating about things not present in time or space. 2. Productivity. 3. Innate.)
Common Mistake to Avoid: Don't say that animals can't communicate. They definitely can! The difference is that they don't use language as defined by Aitchison's criteria.
Note: To see how these communication ideas fit into our thoughts, check out the next chapter on Piaget and Vygotsky!