Human Language vs. Animal Communication
By Kristen Moutria, eHow Contributor
X
Kristen Moutria
Kristen Moutria has a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Evangel University. She is currently pursuing her Master of Arts in education from the University of Nebraska.
Pin
Share
Tweet
Stumble
Share
Found This Helpful
Humans can spend hours talking to one another, while animals cannot.
Human language and animal communication are vastly different from one another. Human language is more complex, with many hidden meanings in words and gestures, as well as many different symbols to express different ideas. Animal communication is much more straightforward and simpler than human language. Some fundamental differences separate human language from animal communication.
Other People Are Reading
Characteristics of Human Communication
The Differences Between Animal Communication & the Human Language
1. Signs
Animals are born knowing how to form specific signs to communicate with one another. The reason is that they have no language, so the basic signs are things they must know in order to communicate with one another. Humans are born with the capacity to learn how to speak and be creative with signs; however, they learn the signs through interaction with culture.
Stimuli
Animal communication does not extend much further than inborn responses to specific stimuli that signal one reaction or another -- eating, defending the babies, sleeping, excreting or any other natural function. Human communication extends much further beyond stimuli and response. Humans learn how to interpret specific stimuli and can say no to instincts if they choose to.
Sponsored Links
Tips for a Happy Marriage
Want to Improve Your Marriage? Do Marriage God’s Way
biblicalcounselinginsights.com
Signs
If an animal makes a sign, then it has one meaning and one meaning alone. The reason is that the signs they make are inborn and essential to survival; it is not...