Why can't chimps speak?

Published by You on 12 November, 2009 - 02:25

If humans are genetically related to chimps, why did our brains develop the innate ability for language and speech while theirs did not? Scientists suspect that part of the answer to the mystery lies in a gene called FOXP2. When mutated, FOXP2 can disrupt speech and language in humans. Now, a UCLA/Emory study reveals major differences between how the human and chimp versions of FOXP2 work, perhaps explaining why language is unique to humans.

Published Nov. 11 in the online edition of the journal Nature, the findings provide insight into the evolution of the human brain and may point to possible drug targets for human disorders characterized by speech disruption, such as autism and schizophrenia.

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Submitted by You on 12 November, 2009 - 18:44

its not that simple... if there are specific genes for allowing people to talk... and talking is beneficial... natural selection says that they will get the genes.

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"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.

Submitted by s.b.f on 13 November, 2009 - 00:09

Language and speech. Do chimps not have language and speech too?

And why does Human language make Humans superior to Chimps? I thought it was other qualities...

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Submitted by You on 13 November, 2009 - 00:20

language allows humans to not only share complex ideas, but to also write them down and to "stand on someone elses shoulders" as if one person figure out how to add 1 and one, the next one doesn't need, but can use that knowledge to work on something more complicated.

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"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.

Submitted by s.b.f on 13 November, 2009 - 00:56

You wrote:
language allows humans to not only share complex ideas, but to also write them down and to "stand on someone elses shoulders" as if one person figure out how to add 1 and one, the next one doesn't need, but can use that knowledge to work on something more complicated.

Yep. I was literally thinking..'oh well all animals have language too..'

I will read the link soon Smile

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Submitted by Seraphim on 14 November, 2009 - 18:58

Or maybe chimps do talk... and we just dont understand their language.

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Submitted by You on 14 November, 2009 - 19:16

I think it meant having a greater vocabulary than a few simple grunts and screams.

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"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.

Submitted by Seraphim on 14 November, 2009 - 19:22

You wrote:
I think it meant having a greater vocabulary than a few simple grunts and screams.

hey dont diss the grunts and screams... they can mean LOADS.
Just look at a baby for example... all they do is grunt and scream lol.
And some teenagers just grunt soo.....

i forget where i was going with this..........

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