Essay#1: Human Language & Culture

Essay #1
Dues Tuesday , 9/21 (yikes)
The Linguistic Ape

Anthropological linguists agree on the following comparison of ape and human language:

Communication in both animals and humans consists of signals. Signals are sounds or gestures that have meaning to those using them.

Human communication consists of both signals and symbols. Symbols are sounds, gestures, material objects, or written words that have specific meaning to a group of people.

Key differences between human communication and that of other primates are that (1) humans have an open vocal system while other primates have a closed vocal system, and (2) humans have a larger bank of symbols to use in communication.

Human have a more complex "grammar" than apes and are able to manipulate that grammar to maneuver complex social contexts with communication.

Many anthropologists believe that human LANGUAGE was critical to the development of CULTURE. Considering the discussion of the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis, and Ildefonso's story in Man Without Words, What do you believe is the relationship between language and culture?

• What would you do without the ability to communicate? 
• Would you be able to have relationships with people essential for social interaction? 
• Would you be able to understand the events which go on around you (get meaning from the symbols in your culture)? 
• How would this impact your participation in culture? 

These are all questions which are posed by Ildefonso and his story as told by Susan Schaller. Consider Ildefonso's story as well as any experience you might have had with being "languageless" (to a lesser degree-not know a language or a jargon).