Interspecies Communication: Could Chimps Ever Speak Our Languages?

There are over 7,100 different languages in the world today, and they all have one thing in common: they are spoken by humans. But what about creatures like chimpanzees, who share 98.8% of our DNA? Could they ever talk to us in our languages? Or are humans genuinely unique?

Can chimpanzees talk like humans?

So far, we have never observed chimpanzees, or “chimps” for short, verbally communicate, but why? Do they not have the required anatomy? Upon inspection, scientists can see that their vocal cords are almost identical to ours, but not quite the same. The larynx of a non-human primate is surprisingly more complex than a human’s. Along with their vocal cords, which vibrate when air passes through them, producing sound, chimps have a thin flap of tissue on top, known as vocal lips. Humans also lack air sacs in their throats, which help monkeys and apes produce the loud shrieks and calls they are famous for. The lack of these lips and sacs allows us to speak complex words in a stable voice, but are these differences why chimps can’t talk like us? Not quite.

William Fitch, an evolutionary biologist and cognitive scientist at the University of Vienna, and Asif Ghazanfar, a neuroscientist at Princeton University, recorded Eiliano, a long-tailed macaque, while he ate, yawned and made lip smacks or any other vocalizations. Upon analysis, they discovered that Emiliano had the physical ability to produce various vowel sounds. While different languages have a different number of vowels, Emiliano could, at least, pronounce the ones used in spoken English. Because macaques have similar vocal anatomy to chimps, it’s safe to assume that despite the differences in our vocal cords and less tongue flexibility, they, too, can form the same sentences.

So why don’t chimps talk? Because while the larynx and the shape of our mouth play a huge role in our ability to conversate, they aren’t the only things needed. Before we can say a word, the brain must produce a mental image of its sounds and record their order. Then, it turns these images into commands and sends them to the muscles in our throats. In addition, our brains also need to remember the grammar of a language and plan sentences almost instantaneously. It is a common belief among scientists that chimps do not have the brain power or the correct brain circuits for the complexity of speech. Much like a robot without the relevant software installed, it doesn’t matter whether chimps are capable of producing the correct sounds or not. If chimps do not have the right brain to operate their vocal cords, they cannot talk to us.

It is easy to believe that chimps may not be capable of conversing at all. While we know that chimps can express themselves using grunts and calls, we assume that these are more likely reflexes, like laughing or crying in humans, rather than actual communication. But this doesn’t seem to be true.

Scientists and caretakers have observed chimps using body language, sign language, and distinct sounds to communicate. For example, Dr. Katie Slocombe, a psychologist from the University of York, discovered that chimps not only use a specific grunting sound to refer to food but by using the flexibility in their voices, chimps can also make different noises to refer to different foods, essentially giving them names. Furthermore, she and her team observed that while chimps from different places may have different “names” for the same food item, living together can help them learn different names and use them, showing that, like humans, they too can learn different “languages”.

Along with producing different sounds for food, chimps also use sounds socially, like blowing raspberries when giving or asking for attention, and making aggressive sounds, known as “threat barks”, to show annoyance or fear.

Can chimps communicate with humans non-verbally?

While chimps may not be able to talk, they can learn and use at least 1,000 hand signs and teach them to their young too! The sign language scientists teach chimps is not as complicated as ASL, but it still allows chimps to put together different signs to communicate with humans, other chimps, and occasionally themselves, showing their natural affinity towards it. In addition to carrying out conversations, chimps also sign to express their playful behavior and use their imagination.

But despite these capabilities, chimps still aren’t capable of actual conversations. This is because languages aren’t just words. They are ways in which we express ourselves and learn about the universe. We use words to tell stories and share our dreams and fears. Even though chimps can use signs to signal an emotional state or need, they do not have the mental capability to use language the way humans do.

Humans and chimps may never be able to discuss the secrets of the universe over a cup of tea. Disappointing, indeed. But with so many diverse cultures and philosophies around the globe, the possibilities of human conversations are endless. At least we have that to look forward to.