Evolving Communication

In Diamond and Graslund  writings, both agreed that apes and chimps do not have the throat and larynx structure to produce words.  They also agreed that humans do have the appropriate anatomy for speech because of evolution. In Graslund’s article, he writes that the lack of speech in animals limits their ability to communicate and sets them apart from humans. “This suggests that it is more a matter of anatomical restriction for the production of articulated sounds, rather then the ability to communicate in itself, that sets the limits for their potential to mediate through sounds”(Graslund,116). In Diamond’s book, he believes that even with an ability to speak an ape’s vocabulary would not be as large as a human’s. “Because the anatomy of apes’ vocal tracts restrict their ability to produce the variety of vowels and consonants that we can, the vocabulary of wild apes is unlikely to be anywhere near as large as our own”(Diamond, 152). Both authors agree that apes do not have the right throat structure for language. However, if the apes were given the correct anatomy, as you see from the above quotes, the authors would disagree on the level of skill the apes could acquire. Throughout Diamond’s book, his tone suggests that apes will never acquire a linguistic language. (Diamond, 153) Graslund has a different view, and believes that apes have potential in developing a rudimentary but syntax communication.(Graslund,124)