Why Can't Monkeys Talk?

[Mutt]

What is it about their physiology that makes them unable to vocalize anything but grunts and screeches? They're intelligent enough.

If I can figure out how to make them speak human languages imagine the riches, who wouldn't want a talking monkey!

[SilentKnight]

[Best-In-BC]

Lots of youtube documentaries that you can learn from, one of my favorites is the orangutan that created new sign words to describe new objects, I find it the most fascinating thing ever.

[carpocratian]

Their larynx muscles and vocal cords are structurally different. They can use language and vocalize in ways that have meaning, but human-style speech is physically outside of their capacity.

[Mutt]

Originally Posted by carpocratian

Their larynx muscles and vocal cords are structurally different. They can use language and vocalize in ways that have meaning, but human-style speech is physically outside of their capacity.

Well that's what I figured but surely there's a mad scientist somewhere who can transplant a human larynx and vocal cords from a human cadaver, most likely a prostitute he's stabbed to death.

[Best-In-BC]

Originally Posted by Mutt

Well that's what I figured but surely there's a mad scientist somewhere who can transplant a human larynx and vocal cords from a human cadaver, most likely a prostitute he's stabbed to death.

Not a bad idea, lol, they could just mix the species with humans

[crockett]

I'm pretty sure Michael Jackson spent a bunch of money trying to teach his monkey to talk..

[Jim_Gunn]

First of all monkeys are not the same thing as apes, our closest relatives. Apes are fairly intelligent, but not in the exact same way humans are. It's not just about the physical difference in their larynx and throat. Human beings have something called a grammar, a development in our brains that is unique and allows our complex language capability.

[aka123]

Originally Posted by Jim_Gunn

First of all monkeys are not the same thing as apes, our closest relatives. Apes are fairly intelligent, but not in the exact same way humans are. It's not just about the physical difference in their larynx and throat. Human beings have something called a grammar, a development in our brains that is unique and allows our complex language capability.

It would be more correct to say that other developed animals (like other mammals) are like humans regarding their intelligence, but less kind of way (like childrens vs adults). If I make a computer comparison, they have mostly the same kind of hardware regarding functions, but not as powerful. This is no surprise because we are mammals and thus we are very similar with any other mammal and vice versa.

To develop language like humans have, you will need more than just brain power, you will need some evolutionary factor that gives clear edge for the speaking ones.

Whales have very developed language, so it's not actually our closest relatives to look for the second most developed language. Whales have pretty much full dialogue, similar to humans. They have names for each other, etc. But they lack in written language, might have something to do with their hands.

[aka123]

Originally Posted by Mutt

If I can figure out how to make them speak human languages imagine the riches, who wouldn't want a talking monkey!

You can forget about that. Not that many would want talking monkey and for those that would want, it would be banned.

You know, the definition of slavery can be easily broaden. But of course you could hire a talking monkey (human or some other specie), but don't forget the health insurance.

[The Sultan Of Smut]

Originally Posted by carpocratian

Their larynx muscles and vocal cords are structurally different. They can use language and vocalize in ways that have meaning, but human-style speech is physically outside of their capacity.

Yup. To create the vowels and consonants your vocal cords need to be able to create sounds while breathing in and out. Chimps for example cannot create vowels so language like ours is impossible.

[CPA-Rush]

Originally Posted by aka123

You can forget about that. Not that many would want talking monkey and for those that would want, it would be banned.

You know, the definition of slavery can be easily broaden. But of course you could hire a talking monkey (human or some other specie), but don't forget the health insurance.

[Best-In-BC]

Originally Posted by The Sultan Of Smut

Yup. To create the vowels and consonants your vocal cords need to be able to create sounds while breathing in and out. Chimps for example cannot create vowels so language like ours is impossible.

ROFL, What ?

[PR_Glen]

you guys gotta start opening your windows while painting...

[Dmcontent]

Originally Posted by Mutt

What is it about their physiology that makes them unable to vocalize anything but grunts and screeches? They're intelligent enough.

If I can figure out how to make them speak human languages imagine the riches, who wouldn't want a talking monkey!

They do talk and some even write. I met a few on this forum

[aka123]

Originally Posted by PR_Glen

you guys gotta start opening your windows while painting...

No, I am fine thank you. I paint with water based paints, but I need to buy few more gallons of glue for my Death Star-model.

[just a punk]

Originally Posted by Mutt

What is it about their physiology that makes them unable to vocalize anything but grunts and screeches? They're intelligent enough.

If I can figure out how to make them speak human languages imagine the riches, who wouldn't want a talking monkey!

They can speak a sign language

[The Sultan Of Smut]

Originally Posted by Best-In-BC

ROFL, What ?

Here ya go...
http://books.google.ca/books?id=ksse... owels&f=false
http://www.haskins.yale.edu/SR/SR015/SR015_09.pdf

[geeknik]

Who says they can't talk? Maybe we just don't have the necessary technology to understand them. =)

[blackmonsters]

Originally Posted by crockett

I'm pretty sure Michael Jackson spent a bunch of money trying to teach his monkey to talk..

[blackmonsters]

Originally Posted by PR_Glen

you guys gotta start opening your windows while painting...

[Jman]

They might not be able to talk but when looking at GFY I can confirm that a shitload of them can type ;)

[SilentKnight]

Originally Posted by crockett

I'm pretty sure Michael Jackson spent a bunch of money trying to teach his monkey to talk..

Yelling "Swallow!" doesn't qualify.

[L-Pink]

….. or swim.

[WDF]

Where's BM, he types not sure about talking, but he is BrassMonkey though.