The Speech of MonkeysGarner, R. L. (Richard Lynch)
Science
The Speech of Monkeys
Garner, R. L. (Richard Lynch)
Monkeys; Sound production by animals; Speech
I do not think that they have any names for numbers, colours or
quantities, nor do I think that they possess an abstract idea of these
things, except in the feeblest degree; but as the concrete must have
preceded the abstract idea in the development of human reason, it
impresses me that these creatures are now in a condition such as man
has once passed through in the course of his evolution; and it is not
difficult to understand how such feeble faculties may develop into the
very highest degree of strength and usefulness by constant use and
culture.
[Sidenote: RUDIMENTS OF FACULTIES]
We find in them the rudiments from which all the faculties possessed by
man could easily develop, including thought, reason, speech, and the
moral and social traits of man. In brief, they appear to have at least
the raw material out of which is made the most exalted attributes of
man, and I shall not contest with them the right of such possession.
CHAPTER IV.
Pedro's Speech Recorded--Delivered to Puck through the
Phonograph--Little Darwin learns a new Word.
[Sidenote: PEDRO THE CAPUCHIN]
In the Washington collection there is a little Capuchin by the name of
Pedro. When I first visited this bright little monk he occupied a cage
in common with several other monkeys of different kinds. All of them
seemed to impose upon little Pedro, and a young spider monkey in the
cage found special delight in catching him by the tail and dragging him
around the floor of the cage. I interfered on behalf of Pedro, and drove
the spider monkey away. On account of this, Pedro soon began to look
upon me as his benefactor, and when he would see me he would scream and
beg for me to come to him. I induced the keeper to place him in a small
cage to himself, and this he seemed to appreciate very much. When I
would go to record his sounds on the phonograph, I held him in one hand,
while he would take the tube in his tiny black hands, hold it close up
to his mouth, and talk into it just like a good little boy who knew what
to do and how to do it. He would sometimes laugh and always chatter to
me as long as he could see me. He would sit on my hand and kiss my
cheeks, put his mouth up to my ear and chatter just as though he knew
what my ears were for. He was quite fond of the head-keeper and also of
the director, but he entertained a great dislike for one of the
assistant-keepers, and he has very often told me some very bad things
about that man, but I could not understand them. I shall long remember
how this dear little monk would cuddle up under my chin, and try so hard
to make me understand some sad story which seemed to be the burden of
his life. He readily understood the sounds of his own speech which I
repeated to him, and I have made some of the best records of his voice
that I have ever succeeded in making of any monkey, some of which I have
preserved up to this time. They present a wide range of sounds, and I
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account