What are the key differences between human speech and other animal vocal communication systems - Essay Example

? s Differences Between Human Speech and Animal Vocal Communication 29 April Animal Vocal Communication The approaches to observing and studying animal vocal communication have been changed in methodology. The studies of animal vocal communication have often gone from an informational approach to one attempting to understand an evolutionary process of animal vocal communication (i.e. the turtles, fish, birds, squirrels, dogs). In 1987, researchers of animal vocal communication collaborated and researched concerning theories that encompass concepts of animal vocal communication. The Game Theory, an analysis of the animal vocal communication studies, includes data and descriptions that analyze the frequency dependence of animal vocal communications in a given or observed setting. The Game Theory reveals or delves into the data research that an animal’s behavior – including their vocal communication systems – depends upon the frequency in which the animal appears and/or is present within the animal’s setting, environment or population. The Game Theory which includes how often or the frequency in which the vocal or sound systems of the animal are heard within their population or environment, also deals with topics of adaptations of the specific animal species and the vocal structures of the specific animal species. Animal vocal communication systems include that of the following species: Fish, Turtles, Bird species -- Sparrows -- Humming birds -- Morning doves -- Mocking birds -- Stellar blue jay (Owings & Morton n.p.) Human Vocal Communication Systems Language of humans is entirely different from that of other animal communication. The difference lies in the distinct properties of human language – the linguistics – which makes it different from any other non-human animal communication. The human language, from which dialogue and discourse, our meaningful conversations are formulated, has alphabets which help humans “to write down language and preserve ideas for coming generations. Animal vocal communication is context or environment bound. Non-human species can not communicate any experience of past… non-human species communication is biologically transmitted, thus it can not learn any other languages”. (Johnson 3). A significant difference between human and non-human species of animals is often the interconnections between human linguistics and basis of knowledge and learning. A bird, for example, may somehow imitate human utterances; however the bird is reiterating the words without any grasp of meaning, knowledge or purpose of learning more words. With bird species, learning of words gets erased. Human beings have the unique linguistic skills of creating or constructing sounds into a form of communication that enables the human species to respond in certain ways. The communication-response systems and mechanisms of the human animal is one that is vital to the species. Differences Between Human and Animal Vocal Communication “Language is an invaluable possession of human race. Man (the human species) is clearly distinguished from other species by the capacity of using language” (Johnson 1). Human beings have an organized system of languages, linguistics, that exist and are practiced around the world. As seen with non-human animals, vocal communication methods are not organized or planned. According to linguistics researcher, Jose Johnson (2012), “…human language is entirely different, biologically and culturally”. The Human Language It is the human language and the development of human language that is recognized as the most effective method of human communication. The terminology, “language”, is derived from the Latin word lingua, meaning tongue. Human language is an organized form or method of communication that is often used to construct meaningful and purposeful response networks that help in the significant development of human culture. “Human language is an open entity, new words or meanings may often emerge or come into use as a result of emerging events and developments of the human society. Language is as important as breathing. Verbal communication is a condition of the existence of human society” (Johnson & Barnett 2-3). According to language experts, “Language”: language development, communication-response mechanisms and systems are what help man, the human species, in a multitude of ways. Language enables humans to reach and begin to understand and learn from the collective knowledge human ancestors. It is skill and knowledge construction that goes beyond innate modes and functions. Actions of learning and development are the result and outcome of human communication systems. “It is through language, that human beings collect and preserve knowledge and transfer it to the next generation. Most of the linguists disclose the fact that the human language has different types of realizations such as written form, spoken form… the human language has signifier and signified” (Johnson & Barnett 2-3). It is, indeed, a significant component of human cognitive thought processes and knowledge, communication development. Animal Vocal Communication According to animal researchers, animals of different species also effectively communicate. Animals such as birds, gulls, honey bees, gibbons, dolphins and dogs have developed systems of communication. However, mechanisms and systems are quite different from the complex from the complex systems of human language. Their communication tradition is acquired genetically and through instinct not through learning” (Johnson 2). When attempting to answer the question, “Is there an intermediate stage between human and non-human animal communication and language?”, the scientific research article written by researcher and author, Maria Ujhelyi of the Semmuelweiss University of Medicine, Institute of Behavioral Sciences (Budapest, Hungary), “Is There Any Intermediate Stage Between Animal Communication and Language” explores and constructs further inquiry into the concepts of the intermediate stages existing or developed between the human and non-human animalia species. The field research demonstrating, providing and drawing effective comparison between human and animal communication is difficult to find and analyze. The difficulty in finding the characteristics that represent any type of intermediate phase or stage of communication systems that suggests a starting point of linguistic evolution creates somewhat of a research problem. Questions of uncertainty as to how the complex human communication systems actually evolved perhaps always will exist. It is the on-going study of neurolinguistics that researches and delves into the missing links – the enquiries and solutions that include information, statistics and data concerning elements connected to the intermediate and detached grammatical functions that emerged into human communication. The natural settings or environmental contexts are not clear. Acoustic and syntactic variance and requirements of such social settings and life become what the novice and experienced field research categorize as the vibrant bird calls and the long calls of primates… not human, but familiar to the Animalia kingdom. Lingusitic researchers have researched, analyzed and perhaps interpreted many of the call repertoires that have emerged among the variant non-human animal species. Interestingly, group level calls have been recognized among non-human animals via social learning. There have been very complex animal calling among the different species communication systems. However, not as complex as the human species communication systems (which is also known for its group level calling), but may contain some features of human language. Certain calling features can represent an intermediate stage between animal communication systems and the complex human language. Communication systems similar to this intermediate stage can be considered an initiating point or origin for the first stage of language evolution. Upon further research, descriptions of various responses triggered by communication signals of certain animals have been studied and analyzed. Further inferences have been made as to the kind of information which signals transmit. Research methods developed by C.W. Morris (1946) made possible the logical analysis of human language. The development of “identiflors, designators, appraisers, prescriptors can be distinguished when attempting to identify responses triggered by communication signals. Marler (1961) of the University of California, Department of Zoology, Berkeley stated, “… Animal signals are rich in designative information and five subcategories are distinguished: species-specific, sexual, individual, motivational and environmental information. The influence of natural selection upon the form of a signal will vary according to its information content” (Marler Abstract) Such research encompasses the human language. The primary difference between human communication and animal communication is the duality characteristics and structure of human language, according to Johnson (2012). A characteristic of human language is the fixed quantity of sound units. These sound units are termed “phonemes”. Phonemes combine to make “morphemes”. Thus, human language has two levels of patterning which is not characteristic of animal vocal communication (Johnson 1). Human language has got certain properties which makes it unique and different from other animal communication systems. Creativity is a distinctive feature or characteristic of human communication. During communication, both verbal and written, human use linguistic resources to produce sentences and freedoms of expression. Phonemes are arranged and rearranged. Morphemes, words and phrases are used to create new modes of expression. In the collaborative of linguistics, this is called open-endedness of language. Non-human animal communication is called a closed system. The production of new vocal signals in order to communicate or meaningfully share novel events or experiences is not creatively done. Human communication serves the stimulating purpose of enabling the freedoms of expression necessary in forming functional relationships. Human communication is a necessity of relationships at work and play. The human species – human beings – can participate in conversation, dialogue of real and imaginary places and objects removed from their present surroundings, contexts and times. Human language and communication can be context-free, however, it is an instrument, a tool that is very much part of or influenced by the contexts, settings and environments. Human language permits the abilities to emerge to and from places or states of being. Animal communication, on the other hand, is bound or limited to the context or environment. There is no conversation or past or future. Animal communication is a response to stimulus in the immediate environment. There is no conversation of past or future. Animal communication is a response to stimulus in the immediate environment (example of stimuli: the presence of food or danger). Another significant difference between human language and other animal communication systems is that human language can be interchangeable. This means that both sexes of human beings, male and female, can use the same language interchangeably. However, certain communications of the animal world are performed by only one sex of the sect. (For example, bee dancing – a form of communication – is performed only by worker bees). Human language is transmitted culturally. This can be interpreted to mean that “human beings brought up in a different culture acquire different languages. This is through speech, gesture, dance and many of the artistic talent and expressions. The different human languages and dialects expressed throughout the world influence the needs and wants of those different cultures. As an outcome, humans can learn other languages over time. Animals lack the capacity to learn in the same way that humans are capable of. The question being, is classical conditioning at all a form of human experiential learning? Animal communication is transmitted biologically so they are unable to acquire processes of other languages. Human language is characterized as a symbolic system. This means that human language not only is inclusive of utterances, linguistics and speech (both formal and informal), but can also be displayed in written forms – alphabets and symbols. Human language is an expression of past, present and future events of time. Biological characteristics and differences play a vital role in communication and speech. The human vocal cords produce a large number of different sounds. Humans use language as a tool, a method to utilize sounds for use or language for communication. Whereas humans have vocal cords, other animals and birds have an entirely different biological structure for the purposes of producing sounds and communication. Children maintain the capacity to develop complex communication rapidly. Development of language and dialectics begin to form grammars. With the exposure and help of formal instruction the human child grows up to not only give consistent (sometimes dialectic) interpretations of and in sentences, phrases, paragraphs and essays to construct and create the speeches that they never knew they were capable of before. “Did the brain increase in size to cope with rising language ability or did the increasing use of language drive brain development” (Singham, M., 2008, p. 1). The primary quote from the book, “The Language Instinct”, by Steven Pinker (1994) focused on two primary facts concerning human language that is not absolutely true of non-human animal language. Linguist, Noam Chomsky, developed a theory about how language is learned. According to Chomsky and Singham (2008), the first is that each of us is capable of producing new sentences never before uttered in the history of the universe (Pinker 9). It is argued, via linguistics and other language scientists that children be equipped with a plan, a grammar and language tool, common to all human languages… a Universal Grammar that tells them how to construct, create and utilize the systematic, syntactic patterns and methods of speech and communication of the founding fathers (Pinker 9 & Moore n.p.). The linguistic researchers have documented, according to observation, and perhaps some reflective critical thinking that children have the ability to produce much greater language output than received as stimulus input. Keeping in mind that language can be influenced and created in and out of context – the settings, the environment. The development of the intrinsic, multi-intelligence is a skill. The language that they produce is prone to the same grammatical rules or protocols as formal language. The Vocal Mechanism In regards to vocal animal communication, the human species has acquired ‘a voice’ for the vital vocal method for its communication systems. The human voice – part of a vocal network – is necessary in communicating specific messages about mood, attitude, participatory and active listening enquiries. Further, the vocal mechanisms of the human species – the voice, the larynx -- of the human species become vehicles and a communication catalyst for expressions of greetings, energy levels and often the levels of confidence. The vocal systems or energy levels of human speech and other animal communication systems often reveal how a species might feel, even if the written or spoken messages do not agree. The awareness of vocal expression is often developed by methods of dialectic conversation, dialogue and discourse. A voice, a vocal expression becomes a powerful tool of communication when used as the necessary component of essential meaning. A ‘voice’ is the method of vocal empowerment and energetic articulation. Vocal articulation carries meaning of expression and ideas of basics and innovation. Energetic motions of the mouth and larynx express commitment to ideas. Conviction and excitement of the voice and its vocal mechanisms often mean an idea might be worth listening to. According to linguistic researchers from Speakeasy Communications Consulting, LLC (2006), “The concept of openness of sound means sustaining the voice… effectively communicating the message” (Speakeasy Communications Consulting, LLC 3-4). Language is a rich, complex construction of formal and informal, directed and spontaneous grammatical dialogue. It can become acknowledge and determined by the fragmentary and whole language available to the child. The development of language is the social responsibility of the community of knowledge. The development of effective language and communication systems are a product and necessary outcome of the significant differences and assumptions known as guides to the construction of grammar and language (Johnson 1). The linguistic researchers have documented according to observation and, perhaps, some reflexivity documentation. In order to understand the significant differences between human and animal (non-human) communication systems, researchers and linguistic theorist would have to understand how human language works. The more scientists begin to realize how different human speech is, how diverse the constructs and variances really are; human speech can be understood for its differences (rather than similarities) from other animal communication systems. Pinker and Chomsky (1994) meaningful share and give descriptive spacial metaphors… Language is obviously as different from other animal communication systems as the elephant’s trunk is different from other animals’ nostrils. Non-human animal communication are based on species designs: (1) a finite repertory of calling types (warnings of predators and claims of territory); (2) a continuous calling or signaling that represents the magnitude or excitement of the state of the setting or environment. For example, blackening of a butterfly’s wings or the livelier dance of the honey bee signifies danger or rich food sources… or the bird song of the Mocking bird telling of city-to-farmland journeys (Pinker & Chomsky 9). As observed through linguistic study, observation, research and interpretation, human language has very diverse designs. The combinations of symbols and notations that create the systems are known as the alphabets, the grammar, our human language. In order to maintain innovation and significant difference, the human language is recognized as infinite… often empirically speaking. There is no limit to the words and sentences of the digital language – a signal along a continuum. Compositional language, although finite in combinations, creates different meanings and interpretations. Sometimes unpredictable, the rules and principles arranging them the challenge. Human and animal vocal communication is also reflected in the role that different parts of the brain are used for, the various functions in language. Evolution has played a critical role in the physical structures or apparatus used in or enabling complex sound production. However, the causal links and interconnections between them are not completely understood. “Did the brain increase in size to cope with increasing or rising language ability or did the increasing use of language drive brain development? We really do not know yet. Grammar language… is seated in the cerebral cortex, primarily in the left perisylvian region” (Pinker 342). Mano Singham (2008) furthers the analysis of human and non-human communication differences by pointing out that complete understanding and communication with other species of animals is an unlikely cause for humans. However, the inability for animals of the non-human species to use speech or speak in the methods of humans is somewhat of a sign of evolutionary backwardness. To use a linguistic descriptive metaphor…” it is like our inability to use our inability to use hands to fly like a bird or our nose’s lack of length compared to the elephant’s trunk. We just occupy different points on the evolutionary bush” (Singham 2-3). Conclusion Language – human language, is an immensely incredible instrument, a tool that allows access to our ethos, the world. According to linguistic researchers, the human languages are quite different from the non-human anima languages that also accompany the human species. The human languages are different in their various structures… morphologically, syntactically and phonologically. Every language contains freedoms of expression that are used to explain old and new experiences… experiential learning that encompasses the innovative and creative thoughts that the mind can create – the real and the imaginary, both in past and future. Incredibly so, the human language is a complete language and continuously changes to adapt to new contexts, settings and environments, in real time and within the virtual. Incredibly so, the human language is a complete language and continuously changes to adapt language new contexts and environments. It is, indeed, human creativity that continuously shapes and reshapes languages of the species. Thoughts, critical and reflective are not altered by the structural differences of the human languages. Linguistic researcher, Edward Vajada, meaningfully shares his points of view concerning human vs. non-human animal languages. In order to understand the creative potential between the animal communication systems found within nature, comparisons and contrasts of the different communication systems must be researched. Communication systems are vastly different between animal species. The significant differences tend to derive from basic facts. Human beings have a natural inborn capability to produce creative sound and symbols – creating the human language. Non-human species of animals vary from humans in this manner. (Vajada 1). Works Cited and References Anderson, T. (2013). The differences between animal communication and the human language. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/info_8199131_differences-animal-cpmmunication-\ human-language-.html. [WEB]. Fitch, W. T. & Hauser, M. D. 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