Gorilla vs Humans Codes?

Gorilla vs humans codes? The short answer is no: gorillas do not use a human-like symbolic code system, but they can learn and use modified versions of human sign language or lexigram boards. This article explains what those codes are, how they work, and why they are not the same as human language.

What Are “Gorilla Codes”?

When people search for “gorilla vs humans codes,” they usually mean the communication systems used in great ape language research. These are not natural gorilla communication, but rather codes that humans have taught to captive gorillas. The two most famous are:

• American Sign Language (ASL) – a full human sign language adapted for gorilla anatomy.
• Lexigram boards – panels of abstract symbols, each representing a word, that the gorilla presses to make requests or comments.

These codes are human inventions. In the wild, gorillas use a natural system of vocalizations, gestures, and body postures, but it is not a symbolic code with grammar in the human sense.

Background: The Famous Language-Learning Gorillas

The most well-known gorilla in this field is Koko, a western lowland gorilla (1971–2018). She was taught a modified form of ASL starting in the 1970s by psychologist Francine Patterson. Koko reportedly used over 1,000 signs and understood roughly 2,000 spoken English words. Another notable case is Michael, a male gorilla who also learned ASL, though his vocabulary was smaller.

These projects were controversial. Critics argue that the gorillas were not truly using language but were simply producing signs to get rewards, a phenomenon called “clever Hans” effect – responding to subtle cues from their trainers. Supporters point to novel combinations, such as Koko calling a ring a “finger bracelet,” as evidence of creative use.

How the Codes Work

In ASL training, a gorilla is shown an object and then the trainer signs its name while physically shaping the gorilla’s hands into the correct position. Over time, the gorilla associates the sign with the object. Lexigram training is similar: the gorilla touches a symbol on a board, and a computer voice speaks the word, or the trainer gives the object.

Key differences from human language:

• Grammar – Gorillas rarely string signs into sentences longer than 3–4 items, and word order is inconsistent.
• Syntax – No evidence of complex rules like recursion or tense.
• Spontaneity – Most signs are responses to prompts, not self-initiated conversation.

Comparing Gorilla and Human Communication

Humans use language with a rich grammar, allowing us to express abstract concepts, past and future events, and hypotheticals. Gorillas, even the best-trained, remain at the level of a human toddler – about 2–3 years old – in linguistic ability. They can request, label, and sometimes comment, but they do not ask complex questions or tell stories.

Natural gorilla communication is entirely different. It consists of about 20–25 distinct vocalizations (hoots, barks, roars) and a set of gestures (chest-beating, staring, lip-tucking). These signals are largely innate and tied to immediate emotional states. They are not arbitrary symbols that can be combined in novel ways.

Common Misconceptions

A frequent misconception is that gorillas have a “secret language” that we are only now decoding. In reality, no wild gorilla has ever been observed using a symbolic code. The codes are entirely human constructions. Another myth is that Koko “invented” signs – in fact, she was taught them, though she did occasionally create new combinations, which is a sign of creativity but not a full language.

Another misconception is that gorillas can “talk” in the sense of producing human speech. They cannot, because their vocal tract anatomy is different – the larynx is higher, and they lack the precise tongue control needed for speech sounds. That is why sign language and lexigrams are used instead.

Why It Matters

Studying these codes helps scientists understand the evolution of language. If a gorilla can learn hundreds of symbols and combine them in simple ways, then the cognitive building blocks of language may predate humans. However, the gap between a gorilla’s best performance and an average human’s everyday speech is enormous, suggesting that the unique human ability for complex syntax is a recent evolutionary development.

This research also raises ethical questions about keeping great apes in captivity and whether teaching them human codes is beneficial or harmful to the animals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can gorillas learn sign language?

Yes, with extensive training, gorillas can learn hundreds of signs from American Sign Language, but they use them in a limited, non-grammatical way. They do not acquire the full complexity of ASL.

Do gorillas have their own language in the wild?

No. Wild gorillas have a set of innate vocalizations and gestures that convey basic emotional and social information, but this is not a symbolic language. It lacks the arbitrary symbols and grammar that define human language.

What is a lexigram?

A lexigram is a geometric symbol that represents a word. Gorillas like Koko and bonobos like Kanzi were trained to press lexigram keys to communicate. The symbols are arbitrary – they do not look like the objects they represent.

Why can’t gorillas speak human words?

Gorillas lack the vocal tract anatomy for human speech. Their larynx is positioned higher, and they cannot shape their tongue and lips with the precision needed. Even with training, they can only produce a few rough approximations.

Is the gorilla’s use of signs evidence of language?

It depends on how you define language. If language requires grammar and syntax, then no. If it requires symbolic reference and simple combination, then yes, to a limited degree. Most linguists reserve the term “language” for human systems.

How many signs did Koko know?

Koko was reported to use over 1,000 signs and understand about 2,000 spoken English words. However, these numbers are contested, and some researchers argue they were inflated.

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in t | Time (minutes) | min | 10 | 0
in n | Number of signs | - | 50 | 0
out rate | Signs per minute | signs/min | n / t | 2