Why Does the Study of Ape Language Capabilities Advance the Understanding

question 3

Multiple Choice

Why does the study of ape language capabilities advance the understanding of human language?

• A) Apes have at least some of the capabilities of language, which helps us better understand the evolution of human language.
• B) Apes are capable of everything short of verbal language, which helps us improve communication with deaf people.
• C) It is clear that apes can only mimic human sign language, which indicates that human language is truly unique to our lineage.
• D) Ape language abilities are closer to humans than to other primates, which adds to our knowledge of the human family tree.

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Definitions:

Cross-modal Transference

The ability to transfer information acquired through one sensory modality to another.

Habituation Time

The duration it takes for an individual to become accustomed or less responsive to a repetitive stimulus.

Visual Preferences

The tendency of individuals to favor certain visual stimuli over others, which can influence attention, selection, and memory processes.

Language Development

The method through which children learn to comprehend and express language in their early years.