The Evolution of Animal Communication

This chapter explores the historical development of our understanding of animal communication, highlighting key studies from the 1970s that reshaped perceptions, particularly among monkeys. It emphasizes findings that show how various species use distinct vocalizations and communicative signals to convey complex information, challenging the notion of language as a human-exclusive trait. The chapter further delves into specific examples, such as prairie dogs and honeybees, illustrating the intricacies of their communication systems and the parallels with human language.