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Ape gestures 'show human links' Ape gestures 'show human links'
(about 6 hours later)
Researchers in the US say they have firm evidence that apes communicate using gestures - shedding light on the development of human language.Researchers in the US say they have firm evidence that apes communicate using gestures - shedding light on the development of human language.
They analysed the way two types of apes that are closely related to humans use hand and limb gestures to communicate. The team analysed the way bonobos and chimpanzees used hand and limb gestures to make themselves understood.
The scientists found that apes used gestures more flexibly than the way they used facial and vocal expressions. The scientists found the apes used gestures more flexibly than the way they used facial and vocal expressions.
They say the findings support the theory that human language developed through the use of hand gestures.They say the findings support the theory that human language developed through the use of hand gestures.
Food or sex?Food or sex?
Working with bonobos and chimpanzees, the researchers from a team at Yerkes Primate Center, at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, found groups developed different gestures to say different things and that meanings depended on context. The team comprised researchers from Yerkes Primate Center, at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. It found ape groups developed different gestures to say different things and that meanings depended on context.
They may use the same gesture for something totally different Frans de WaalEmory University, AtlantaThey may use the same gesture for something totally different Frans de WaalEmory University, Atlanta
A male chimpanzee may beg for food from another chimpanzee by gesturing with an extended arm and open hand.A male chimpanzee may beg for food from another chimpanzee by gesturing with an extended arm and open hand.
But the same gesture may also be used to ask a female chimpanzee for sex, or between two males as a sign of reconciliation after a fight, said primatologist Frans de Waal, a member of the research team. But the same gesture might also be used to ask a female chimpanzee for sex, or between two males as a sign of reconciliation after a fight, said primatologist Frans de Waal, a member of the research team.
"Typically they may use it for food ... but they may use the same gesture for something totally different, so for instance a male may invite a female for sex by holding out an open hand to her," Dr de Waal said. "Typically they may use it for food... but they may use the same gesture for something totally different; so, for instance, a male may invite a female for sex by holding out an open hand to her," Dr de Waal said.
This ability to learn gestures distinguishes apes from monkeys and most other species on the planet, says Dr de Waal. This ability to learn gestures distinguishes apes from monkeys and most other species on the planet, the scientist says.
Although all primates use vocal and facial expressions to communicate, only the great apes - chimpanzees, bonobos, orang-utan and gorillas - use gestures as well, an ability they share with humans.Although all primates use vocal and facial expressions to communicate, only the great apes - chimpanzees, bonobos, orang-utan and gorillas - use gestures as well, an ability they share with humans.
And when apes gesture, they use their right hand, which is controlled by the left side of the brain - the same side as the language control centre in the human brain.And when apes gesture, they use their right hand, which is controlled by the left side of the brain - the same side as the language control centre in the human brain.
The research is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The latest research is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.