A comparison between animal communication and human language

      Introduction

       Language is a priceless possession of the human race. Man is clearly distinguished from other species by his capacity of using language. Human beings have an organized form of languages. Animals also communicate in one or the other way. This communication method or language is not organized as human language and entirely different from human communication method, biologically and culturally.

                        Human Language AND ANIMAL COMMUNICATION

Language is the most effective method of human communication. The term language is derived from the Latin word lingua meaning tongue. Human language is in organized form. Language is as important as breathing. Barnett says, “Verbal communication is a condition of the existence of human society.”

    Chomsky: claims that humans possess an innate universal grammar that is not possessed by other species. This can be readily demonstrated, he claims, by the universality of language in human society and by the similarity of their grammars. No natural non-human system of communication shares this common grammar.

Macqhail: made the claim that "humans acquire language (and non-humans do not) not because humans are (quantitatively) more intelligent, but because humans possess some species-specific mechanism (or mechanisms) which is a prerequisite of language-acquisition".

     Language helps man in several ways. It enables him to reach back into collective knowledge of his ancestors. It is through language that human beings collect and preserve knowledge and transfer it to the next generation.

      Animals also can communicate. Some animals and birds like dog, dolphins,   gibbons, herring gulls and honey bees have developed their own system of communication. But their communication system differs from human communication. Animal communication lacks flexibility and creativity. Their communication tradition is acquired genetically and not through learning.

       The main differences between animal and human communications.

The primary difference between human communication and animal communication is the duality of structure of human language. Each human language has got a fixed number of sound units called phonemes. These phonemes are combined to make morphemes. Thus language has got two levels of patterning which is not prevailed in animal communication.

Yet another distinctive feature of human communication is creativity. Human beings use their linguistic resources to produce new expressions and new sentences. They arrange and rearrange phonemes, morphemes, words and phrases to create new modes of expression. This is also called open-endedness of language. Animal communication is closed system they cannot produce new vocal signals to communicate novel events or experience.

Human beings can talk of real or imaginary situations, places and objects far removed from their present surroundings and time. Human language is context free whereas animal communication mostly context bound. Animal communication is merely a response to stimulus in the immediate environment like the presence of food or danger.

Human language is interchangeable. Both sexes of human beings can use the same language interchangeably. But certain communications in animal world are performed only by one sex of that sect. Bee dancing is performed by worker bees.

The important distinction is human language is culturally transmitted. Thus human beings brought up in different culture acquire different languages also by the influence of other culture man can learn other languages in course of time. But animals lack in this capacity. Their communication ability is transmitted biologically so they are unable to acquire other languages.

Human language is a symbolic system. Therefore human language is not only uttered but also can be displayed by writing with the help of certain symbols called alphabets of that language. Animal communication fails to disclose in this manner. Therefore ideas or main events of any time cannot be preserved for the future generation of that sect.

Biological differences also play a vital role in communication. Human vocal cords can produce a large number of sounds. Each human language makes its own selection of sounds for it use. Animal and birds have an entirely different biological structure with regard to the formation of sounds.

    Conclusion

     Human language is entirely different from animal communication. Human language has many properties which makes it different from animal communication. Human language has alphabets which help man to write down and preserve ideas for coming generations. Animal communication is context bound, they cannot communicate any experience of past. Animal communication is biologically transmitted thus it cannot learn any other languages. Whereas human beings can learn the sounds of animals and make them respond to the sounds easily. Hence human communication or human language is a unique one which is the sole property of him.