Ruff translation, part one: do animals have language?
Babbage from The Economist (subscriber edition)
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Unraveling Animal Communication
This chapter explores the intricate complexities of animal communication, focusing on a groundbreaking study that trains dogs and cats to use buttons to express words. It discusses historical methods of interpreting animal signals, the necessity of context in understanding their gestures, and contrasting perspectives on language as a human trait versus a shared communication tool across species. Highlighting initial findings, the chapter delves into the cognitive abilities of domesticated animals and challenges existing notions about language, consciousness, and intelligence in both humans and animals.
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