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Using a modified human paradigm, this article explores two language-competent bonobos' abilities to map new words to objects in realistic surroundings with few exposures to the referents. Also investigates the necessity of the apes maintaining visual contact with the item to map the novel name onto the novel object. (Author/VWL)

Through analysis of chimpanzee-human discourse, study shows that four chimpanzees exposed to humanly devised symbol system use partial or complete repetition of others' symbols. They do not produce rote imitations but use repetition to fulfill variety of pragmatic functions in discourse. Theories are advanced regarding meaning of two differences that appeared in use of repetition and length of utterances. (KM)

Research, and comments, on the ability of children to learn new words is presented. In addition, the need for apes to learn words through visual contact is examined.

An experiment conducted with young apes to study their language acquisition ability reveals that species and their environment have a significant influence on learning abilities. Two apes, a chimpanzee and a bonobo, exhibited language acquisition abilities when reared in an environment that stimulated learning. However, the bonobo was a better learner than the chimpanzee. Bonobos in other experiments also exhibited better learning abilities than their chimpanzee counterparts. The apes show greater learning abilities when exposed to a learning situation at an early age.

Bonobos and chimpanzees are Pan species which are most closely related to the human species. They provide vital clues to the development of human language competence. Although bonobos and chimpanzees cannot articulate speech, they can comprehend language. Language comprehension is manifested by vocalization, intentional movement and display behavior. Both Panbanisha and Panpanzee, the bonobo and chimpanzee used in the research, exhibited these behaviors.

Apes receive and use signals through observational learning, and their communicative linguistic environment enables interpretation of these signals. Bonobo and chimpanzee exposed to spoken language since infancy understood it well. Chimpanzees do not require special training for understanding the signals and they acquired these skills merely by observing and participating in silent communicative processes.