Bonobo Language Learning

Here’s a few videos from the Iowa Primate Learning Sanctuary showing attempts to teach language to Bonobo chimps. The first video is of Kanzi demonstrating his skills in using a lexigram.

In the next video, we can see Kanzi following novel instructions. Notice that Sue Savage-Rumbaugh wears a mask as a type of “anti-Clever Hansing”, helping ensure that Kanzi isn’t simply following subtle head or eye movements that might unconsciously indicate the objects (see this video on Clever Hans).

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