"Can Chimps Learn to Speak ?" - The Surprising Revelation !
"Can Chimps Learn to Speak ?" - The Surprising Revelation !
Category
🐳
AnimalsTranscript
00:00Hey there fellow animal lovers, welcome to another episode of Simply Awesome Planet.
00:05Have you ever wondered why our closest relatives in the animal kingdom, chimpanzees, can't
00:09talk like us humans?
00:11After all, they share almost 99% of our DNA.
00:15So why can't we just teach them to talk?
00:17Let's dive into it.
00:18First, let's talk about DNA.
00:20Yes, chimps and humans are practically genetic twins, but that tiny 1% difference makes a
00:25huge impact.
00:27Think of it like a recipe.
00:29A pinch of salt can change a dish completely, right?
00:32That 1% difference is our pinch of salt.
00:35One major reason chimps can't talk like us is their vocal anatomy.
00:39Our vocal cords, tongue, and mouth shape are designed perfectly for speaking.
00:43Chimps?
00:44Not so much.
00:46Their vocal cords can produce a range of sounds, but not the complex ones needed for human
00:50speech.
00:51Imagine trying to play a violin with boxing gloves on.
00:54Yeah, it's kind of like that for chimps trying to speak our language, but wait, there's more!
00:59The human brain is a speech powerhouse.
01:02We have specialized areas like Broca's area and Wernicke's area that are key for language.
01:08Chimps have brains too, but theirs are wired differently.
01:11It's like having a top-of-the-line computer but missing the software needed to run a specific
01:15program.
01:16Now, don't feel too bad for our chimp friends.
01:19They might not be able to discuss the latest Netflix series with us, but their incredible
01:24communicators in their own right.
01:26Chimps use a variety of vocalizations, facial expressions, and gestures to convey emotions
01:31and intentions.
01:33It's almost like they have their own complex language system, just not in words.
01:37And here's a fun fact.
01:39Researchers have tried teaching chimps to use sign language and symbol boards.
01:42Some chimps, like Washoe, have learned hundreds of signs and can communicate quite effectively.
01:48But even then, it's not the same as human language.
01:51It's more about simple requests and basic interactions.
01:54Think of it like texting with only emojis.
01:57You can get your point across, but it's limited.
01:59In the end, the gap between human and chimp communication is a blend of biology and evolution.
02:05Our ability to speak is a unique trait that developed over millions of years.
02:10It's what makes us human.
02:12So next time you hear about how closely related we are to chimps, remember this.
02:16We're all part of the same big family tree, each with our unique strengths and quirks.
02:21And who knows?
02:22Maybe one day we'll find new ways to bridge the communication gap even further.
02:26Thanks for tuning in, thanks for watching, and please like and subscribe to my channel
02:30so others can be shared this story, and please stay tuned for more answers to the curiosities
02:34of our simply awesome world.
02:36See you next time!