ARW 02 OFFICIAL WRITING 01 Name: __________________________________________ November 2019 Can Apes Learn ASL? Nowadays, the animals are breaking our expectations showing that they are smarter than us in many ways. A great example of that are apes such as gorillas, chimpanzees and bonobos. Consequently, apes are animals that possess high levels of intelligence, also they are capable to learn American Sign Language. In this composition, I am focusing on how apes show intelligence and how apes can learn American Sign Language. In this part, I am writing about apes show how smart they are in two principal aspects. Fist, apes have high levels of cognition, they make tools and use them to acquire foods. As we know, cognition is the ability to interpret and connect information that is perceived in the world and then apply this knowledge to future situations. So, a good way to show the abilities that apes have is making tools. In addition, the use of tools by apes is varied. For example, they use plant stems, stones and wood to make tools for collecting (nuts, fruits, vegetables and seeds) and collecting water. Additionally, they use elements that they can find in nature to make different tools that are required for acquire food. Consequently, apes apply what they know to make tools for they needs. Second, apes use their knowledge to apply in sophisticated hunting strategies. In fact, apes use their intelligence to make tools or instruments to hunt. Although, tool use was long assumed to be a uniquely human trait, there is now much evidence that many animals use tools. Consequently, discussions of tool use often involve a debate about what constitutes a "tool", and they often consider the relation of tool use to the animal's intelligence and brain size. For instance, apes sharpen sticks to use as spears when they hunt animals (mammals, invertebrades,fish). Also, another strategy is stand up near to a termite mound without making any strong movement and they use sticks to hunt the termites. Additionally, with the passing of time, the environment changes, the animals become stronger, so the apes can use other things that they find in nature to be able to get the things that they need to survive. As a result, they have to improve their skills to make their tools to be able to continue hunting. In this section, I am focusing on the things that apes need to learn American Sign Language are divided in two. First, apes need a comfortable space with sensory approach to learning. Indeed, apes do not have to feel pressure about learning something new. The space in which they are, has to be harmonious, cozy, quiet and also containing things that apes like and make them feel safe. For example, they can include things that make them feel that they do not are in danger, like pillows, colorful things and images. Also, all the things that are put into the environment are very important to teach American sign language. It enhance the process of learning ASL because the place attracted the attention of the ape. Consequently, caretakers are meticulous with every detail and the things that apes need. As a result, caretakers are carefully with everything they put close to an ape because everything influences in ASL learning. Second, apes require different types of sensory tools to learn. In fact, there are many tools that caretakers can use to teach American Sign Language such as educational games that capture their attention and interest. For instance, they can use blocks, cards, images, computer keyboard and toys. Researchers and caretakers use these tools to teach them how to form words and they were associated what they know with something new and combine two words to form a new one. Also, to reinforce and practice what has been learned, it is necessary that the people around the ape speak sign language. Consequently, they have to find a strategy to teach ASL to an ape and try to improve the communication capacity in the ape. In addition, the use of didactic material helps a lot because the apes can touch and play with the things that help them to learn something new in a comfortable way. To sum up, apes are smart animals that have the capacity to learn ASL to communicate with people and express what they want to say with signs. Eventhough, there are many controversies about that apes do signs only to receive an award from their caretaker, and they really cannot communicate using sign language. In my opinion, apes are species similar to humans because they show cognition using ASL to communicate with people. Also, they are capable to learn more and more, with help and without help.
