The Speech of Monkeys by Richard Lynch Garner

The fundamental sounds appear to be pure vowels, but faint traces of consonants are found in many words, especially those of low pitch and since I have been able to develop certain consonant sounds from a vowel basis, the conclusion forces itself upon me that the consonant elements of human speech are developed from a vowel basis. They make their sounds with the vocal organs, and modulate them with the teeth, tongue and lips, in the same manner that man controls his vocal sounds. Different sounds are accompanied by different gestures, and produce different results under the same conditions. The same sound is interpreted to mean the same thing, and obeyed in the same manner by different monkeys of the same species.

They understand these sounds when imitated by a human being, by a whistle, a phonograph, or other mechanical devices, and this indicates that they are guided by the sounds alone, and not by any signs, gestures, or psychic influence. They understand the sounds made by other monkeys of their own kind, and usually respond to them with a like sound. They usually look at the person addressed, and do not utter these sounds when alone or as a mere pastime, but only at such times as some one is present to hear them, either some person or another monkey. They wait for and expect an answer, and if they do not receive one they frequently repeat the sounds. The monkey indicates by his own acts and the manner of delivery that he is conscious of the meaning which he desires to convey through the medium of the sounds. They are always addressed to some certain individual with the evident purpose of having them understood. Garner has so far discovered the speech of monkeys as to have learned the password into their good graces, and we cannot but be interested in his ability to attract the attention of monkeys by saying to them, in their language, the word which means food.Extremely interesting and suggestive.' -Science 'The sounds which monkeys make are voluntary, deliberate, and articulate. It is very striking when we learn that Mr. Garner has made out are well authenticated. We cannot but feel that the few facts which Mr. Garner's work, so far as it has gone, is reliable.He is dealing with facts rather than fancies. Garner have been conducted in an ingenious and careful manner, and his results appear to be of value to science.Of much interest to the specialist as well as to the general reader.' -The American Naturalist 'Mr. Garner has gone to Africa with the phonograph with the intention of recording the voices of the gorilla and chimpanzee.The experiments made by Mr.

The Speech of Monkeys by Richard Lynch Garner