Why Chimpanzees Can't Learn Language and Only Humans Can

Herbert S. Terrace conducted a study in the 1970s to teach a chimpanzee to use language, but his teachers inadvertently cued his signing, leading to the project's failure. He revisits Project Nim to argue that words, as much as grammar, are the cornerstones of language and that nonverbal interaction is the foundation of infant language acquisition. This theory explains Nim's inability to acquire words and the differences between human and animal communication.

Format: Hardback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 01 October 2019
Publisher: Columbia University Press

In the 1970s, Herbert S. Terrace, a behavioral psychologist, conducted a groundbreaking experiment to explore whether a chimpanzee could be taught to use language. Nim Chimpsky, a young ape, was raised by a family in New York and taught American Sign Language (ASL). Initially, Terrace believed that Nim could create sentences, but later discovered that his teachers inadvertently cued his signing. Despite this setback, Terrace concluded that Project Nim failed, not because Nim couldn't create sentences, but because he couldn't even learn words. Language, a uniquely human trait, is a subject of fascination and speculation, but attempting to find it in animals is considered wishful thinking at best. The failure of Project Nim left us without a deeper understanding of the origins of language.

In this book, Terrace revisits Project Nim to present a fresh perspective on the origins of human language. Contrary to Noam Chomsky and his critics, Terrace argues that words, alongside grammar, are the fundamental components of language. Tracing human evolution and developmental psychology, he demonstrates that nonverbal interaction forms the basis of infant language acquisition, paving the way for a child's first words. By prioritizing words and conversation before grammar, Terrace proposes a novel theory that explains Nim's inability to acquire words and, more broadly, the differences between human and animal communication.

Why Chimpanzees Can't Learn Language and Only Humans Can is a profound exploration of the nature of language and what it means to be human. Terrace's insights challenge traditional beliefs and provide a new framework for understanding the evolution of language. Through his meticulous research and thoughtful analysis, Terrace offers a compelling argument that words, rather than grammar, are the cornerstone of language. This theory not only sheds light on the limitations of Project Nim but also offers valuable insights into the complexities of human communication.

In conclusion, Why Chimpanzees Can't Learn Language and Only Humans Can is a must-read for anyone interested in language, evolution, and the human experience. Terrace's innovative approach to language origins challenges our understanding of what it means to be human and offers a fresh perspective on the evolution of language. Through his meticulous research and thoughtful analysis, Terrace provides a compelling argument that words, rather than grammar, are the cornerstone of language. This book is a valuable contribution to the field of linguistics and will inspire future generations of scholars and researchers.

Weight: 430g
Dimension: 149 x 223 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231171106