The United States is now the second country with the most Spanish speakers

[Unkotare]

Koko a big gorilla l, used sign language.

Why Koko the Gorilla, Who Mastered Sign Language, Mattered

Featured twice on the cover of National Geographic magazine, Koko led to major revelations about animal empathy and communication.

www.nationalgeographic.com

Also Washoe, a chimp, did so:

Washoe (chimpanzee) - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

No, they were trained to mimic certain gestures, just like a mouse learns to tap on a lever to get a pellet of food. When you say "sit" and your dog sits, do you think that's proof he knows English?

 

[Unkotare]

Yes. It does.

Does your "bee dance" have grammar? Can it be used to express abstract thoughts? Can bees teach it to hummingbirds?

 

[Unkotare]

Are large herds of animals all running in the same direction using language? Geese flying south for the winter? Schools of fish?

 

[Couchpotato]

Does your "bee dance" have grammar? Can it be used to express abstract thoughts? Can bees teach it to hummingbirds?

Can you teach English to hummingbirds?

 

[Unkotare]

Can you teach English to hummingbirds?

I can't fly (learned that one the hard way).

 

[BackAgain]

No, they were trained to mimic certain gestures, just like a mouse learns to tap on a lever to get a pellet of food. When you say "sit" and your dog sits, do you think that's proof he knows English?

Nope. That’s not how they were trained.

I expect higher standards from you.

 

[Unkotare]

Nope. That’s not how they were trained.
...

That's the truth of it.

 

[BackAgain]

Does your "bee dance" have grammar?

I wouldn’t know.

Can it be used to express abstract thoughts?

I don’t know. I doubt it.

Can bees teach it to hummingbirds?

I doubt it.


And? So what? In your estimation those attributes are necessary for a common form of communication among bees to qualify as “language?”

Sorry. No sale.

 

[BackAgain]

That's the truth of it.

No. It isn’t.

 

[Unkotare]

I wouldn’t know.

...

No, you wouldn't because it doesn't. Not a language.

 

[Unkotare]

...

I don’t know. I doubt it.
...

Again, not language.

 

[Unkotare]

...In your estimation those attributes are necessary for a common form of communication among bees to qualify as “language?”

...

At a minimum.

 

[BackAgain]

No, you wouldn't because it doesn't. Not a language.

It is absolutely a language. By definition.

 

[Unkotare]

No. It isn’t.

Whether you like it or not.

 

[BackAgain]

At a minimum.

Based on your feelings. Check.

 

[Unkotare]

It is absolutely a language. By definition.

You're wrong. Go play with some yarn.

 

[Unkotare]

Based on your feelings. ...

Based on my extensive education and vast experience.

 

[BackAgain]

Whether you like it or not.

Still wrong. Regardless of your mere feelings.

 

[BackAgain]

You're wrong. Go play with some yarn.

**** off.

You can’t admit that you’re wrong.

 

[Unkotare]

Still wrong. Regardless of your mere feelings.

Not my feelings; my knowledge and experience you idiot.