Is human language really unique? : Learning mechanisms suggesting cognitive continuity

Human (Homo sapiens sapiens) language (hereafter mostly referred to as just “language”) is often claimed to differ completely from nonhuman communication regarding both use and acquisition. Since language is by many considered essential for other said human unique skills it constitutes a useful case to explore whether human behaviours can be explained by the same principles as cognitive performances in other animals. Language is therein examined in the current thesis, by review of interdisciplinary literature including ethological, psychological, behaviour analytical and philosophical. Once learned, language may play an important role in guiding further reasoning, signifying its role in many cognitive phenomena. However, word learning can be explained by associative means, and I suggest the same mechanism underlies further language connected capacities. This is supported by the recent proposition that human cognition differs quantitatively from other species because of increased information capacity. Nevertheless, thorough calculations and experiments would bring further insight if associative principles can be applied as I theoretically propose. Critical welfare implications follow if experiences we “know” exist in humans could be equally true in nonhuman animals partaking in similar activities, which is the case if “simpler” explanations apply even to humans with these capabilities. Herein, seemingly simple mechanisms do not rule out complex results. Contradicting arguments may be explained by biases and cognition based validation. The latter is elaborated on in order to highlight ethical risks by comparative research regardless of motives.