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Washoe Learned American Sign Language An animal that influenced scientific thought has dieD．Achimpanzee named Washoe and horn in Africa died of natural causes late lastmonth at the age of 42 at a research center in the American state ofWashington. Washoe had become known in the scientific community and around theworld for her ability to use American Sign Language. She was said to be thefirst non-human to learn a human language. Her skills also led to debate aboutprimates and their ability to understand language. Research scientists Allen and Beatrix Gardner began teachingWashoe sign language in 1966. In 1969, the Oardners described Washoe’s progressin a scientific report. The people who experimented with Washoe said she grewto understand about 250 words. For example, Washoe made signs to communicatewhen it was time to eat. She could request foods like apples and bananas. Shealso asked questions like, "Who is coming to play" One the newsabout Washoe spread, many language scientists began studies of their own intothis new and exciting area of research. The whole direction of primate researchchanged. However, critics argued Washoe only learned to repeat signlanguage movements from watching her teachers. They said she had neverdeveloped true language skills. Even now there are some researchers who suggestthat primates learn sign language only by memory, and perform the signs only forprizes. Yet Washoe’s keepers disagree. Roger Fours is a former student of theGardners. He took Washoe to a research center in Ellensburg, Washington. There,Washoe taught sign language to three younger chimpanzees, which are stillalive. Scientists like private researcher Jane Goodall believe Washoeprovided new information about the mental workings of chimpanzees. Today, thereare not as many scientists studying language skills with chimps. Part of thereason is that this kind of research takes a very long time. Debate continues about chimps’ understanding of humancommunication. Yet, one thing is sure-Washoe changed popular ideas about thepossibilities of animal intelligence.

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