Confronting Friends and Family

[Hovik]

I believe we'd be arguing semantics if anything at all. I don't agree that animals use what we would describe as language because it isn't language. I should point out that a dictionary definition, while useful, does not match up with the linguistic definition of language. Dictionaries report usage only, and so it would be sensible that it reflects scientific as well as layman definitions of words. That's just how they're used.

Then yeah, I suppose we're arguing on the semantics only.

I find that the linguistic definition of language is narrower than the common, dictionary definition of the word, thus it is not complete.

According to the linguistic definition, yes, I agree that animals don't use language ... but I don't go by that definition.

I don't think it's fair to say that it's a less complete definition. The linguistic definition of language is precise, and for good reason. But I agree, we're really just arguing semantics at this point.

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Sign is not the only language other great apes use. It is just an interesting example because we understand it and taught it to them.

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From wiki's animal language page: "While the term is widely used, researchers agree that animal languages are not as complex or expressive as human language."

I can agree with that, to an extent, given that we don't understand monkey. However, no person in their right mind would argue that animals do not have languages as methods of communication. As I mentioned before, it appears that tossing out the definition of language and assigning it strictly human traits is how you, and others, come to the conclusion that only humans have language. I do believe there is a stipulation in the rules here about using definitions because so many people like to make up their own definitions and it provides for page after page of absolutely useless conversation. (I can't remember where that was or if it was moved/removed. I do recall it being a big enough problem that the staff talked about it multiple times.)

You seem to be under the impression that this is all something I've just made up. Linguistics has a very precise definition of language because language is a uniquely human capability for a number of reasons. All animals have a communication system of some sort, but only the human communication system is markedly different in that it allows us to precisely and, much more importantly, generatively convey meaning.