Overlooked evidence for semantic compositionality and signal reduction in wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

Abstract

Recent discoveries of semantic compositionality in Japanese tits have enlivened the discussions on the presence of this phenomenon in wild animal communication. Data on semantic compositionality in wild apes are lacking, even though language experiments with captive apes have demonstrated they are capable of semantic compositionality. In this paper, I revisit the study by Boesch (Hum. Evol. 6:81–89, 1991) who investigated drumming sequences by an alpha male in a chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) community in the Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire. A reanalysis of the data reveals that the alpha male produced semantically compositional combined messages of travel direction change and resting period initiation. Unlike the Japanese tits, the elements of the compositional expression were not simply juxtaposed but displayed structural reduction, while one of the two elements in the expression coded the meanings of both elements. These processes show relative resemblance to blending and fusion in human languages. Also unlike the tits, the elements of the compositional expression did not have a fixed order, although there was a fixed distribution of drumming events across the trees used for drumming. Because the elements of the expression appear to carry verb-like meanings, the compositional expression also resembles simple verb-verb constructions and short paratactic combinations of two clauses found across languages. In conclusion, the reanalysis suggests that semantic compositionality and phenomena resembling paratactic combinations of two clauses might have been present in the communication of the last common ancestor of chimpanzees and humans, not necessarily in the vocal modality.

Conversational facial signals combine into compositional meanings that change the interpretation of speaker intentions

“…Our findings are also relevant for understanding the evolution of language. Specifically, the finding that multimodal signals are interpreted as one Gestalt meaning, resonates well with calls to study non-human communicative behaviors while taking into account the entire multimodal act 29 , 53 , 54 . Our findings additionally provide an explanatory factor for the perceptual mechanisms underlying multimodal language use for models 55 and experiments 56 , 57 in human language evolution, which can inform models of the emergence of modern, multimodal language use.…”

Recursive self-embedded vocal motifs in wild orangutans

“…Second, our findings invite renewed interest and re-analysis of primate vocal combinatorics in the wild (Gabrić, 2021;Girard-Buttoz et al, 2022). Given the dearth of such data, findings imply that it may be too hasty to discuss whether combinatorial capacities in primates or birds are equivalent to those engaged in syntax (Engesser et al, 2015;Watson et al, 2020) or phonology (Bowling and Fitch, 2015;Rawski et al, 2021).…”

“…Third, our findings suggest that, despite criticism, recursive perceptual capacities identified in primates (Watson et al, 2020) may be factual and likely evolved to subserve vocal signals in the species' natural repertoire (though potentially yet unrecognized). This invites for a renewed interest and re-analysis of primate signalling behaviour in the wild (Gabrić, 2021).…”

Challenges and advanced concepts for the assessment of learning and memory function in mice

“…However, studies have shown that some non-human animals can learn and recognize symbols and understand their meaning, suggesting that the basic concept of semantic memory can also be applied to some non-human animals. For example, chimpanzees have been shown to be able to learn the meanings of words and use them appropriately in new situations ( Slocombe and Zuberbühler, 2005 ; Clay and Zuberbühler, 2009 ; Gabrić, 2022 ).…”