Signs of communication in chimpanzees

Abstract

Chimpanzees communicate with facial expressions, vocalizations, postures, and gestures. Vocalizations are of many types for both close and distance communication. Identity of individuals and groups is apparent in vocalizations. Vocalizations occur in specific contexts and there is evidence that some carry referential meaning. Gestures occur in a variety of modalities and chimpanzees vary the modality appropriately with the attentional state of the partner. Communities of chimpanzees have specific repertoires of gestures and the same gesture among communities varies in form. In cross-fostering research chimpanzees acquired American Sign Language. One young chimpanzee acquired signs from his mother and other signing chimpanzees. In a remote videotaping procedure the chimpanzees signed to each other using a variety of signs in a variety of contexts. Other studies have examined chimpanzee communication using artificial languages. Chimpanzee communication shows flexibility as partners navigate through interactions and gestures are acquired through social learning.