Language Barrier with Nonhumans
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About
Humans cannot readily use language to communicate with other species. This means that they do not have a voice in civilization, and they are thus far outside most people's area of concern. Contrary to popular belief, language is not strictly a measure of intelligence. Many aspects of our cognition that are defining to our identity and daily experience are common among other species as well: fear, anger, sadness, joy, love, social reasoning, body language parsing, vision, hearing, and plenty more. However, language seems to be a very specific thing, which may or may not be the sole domain of humans.
From a mathematical perspective, there are so many possible ways for a linguistic system to function, that it would likely be impossible to fully understand a grammar without having hardwired knowledge about which languages are possible. Language typology has revealed that all languages seem to have some things in common, and kids learn languages better than adults. Are kids smarter than adults? Dubious. Developing human brains are just wired to expect Human Language, taking for granted a number of facts when auditory pathways activate various parsing circuits. It is perhaps more telling that much human intuition about grammar is incorrect, even among people who speak and dream in their native tongue fluently.
Because we are all humans, we have been able to discuss and analyze our own patterns with a fluent understanding of how they work. Even more our intuition isn't entirely correct, it does offer insight. Critical reasoning and scientific exploration can delve a little deeper, but that innate knowledge is our foothold to grasping how human language works. Without it, the task would be immeasurably more difficult.
Animal researchers have indeed found signs that certain nonhuman animals, like cetaceans, birds, elephants, and prairie dogs communicate meaning. Language means something more specific than communication in general. Whereas linguistics studies language, semiotics studies all symbolic forms of communication.
Why does it matter?
Being able to communicate concrete information is a core part of being able to learn and develop various forms of intelligence. If we could reliably communicate arbitrary information to other species, and the reverse was true too, then animals would be able to access more of our planet's bountiful knowledge and experiences. Animals who could communicate their wishes could develop a political voice to express what rights they deserve. Nonhuman victims of abuse would be able to recount their memories to a court. Civilization would be richer for embracing more than one species' perspective. The cultural exchange would be revolutionary and insightful. Ableist hierarchies and unjustified class stratification would be challenged in a radically new way.
Version 1 of 1 - This issue was first identified by inventor on 6/3/2022
- Editors: inventor.
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