Definition Animal Communication

Animal communication is the transfer of information from one or a group of
animals (sender or senders) to one or more other animals (receiver or receivers)

which affects either the current or future behavior of the receivers.
Communication is sending and receiving information between two or more people. The person
sending the message is referred to as the sender, while the person receiving the information is
called the receiver. The information conveyed can include facts, ideas, concepts, opinions,
beliefs, attitudes, instructions and even emotions.
Types of Communication
Methods of communication vary, and you are almost certainly familiar with all of them. Let's
take a look at some of the primary methods.
Verbal communication is simply sending a message through a spoken language that is

understood by both the sender and receiver of the message. Examples of verbal
communications include face-to-face talking, listening to a lecture or seminar, and
listening to a television program. In fact, if you are listening to this lesson, you are
engaged in a verbal form of communication.
Why do animals communicate? Parental care Recognition Begging Sexual

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location Territory defense and conflict resolution Social integration - contact calls
Written communication is sending a message by the use of symbols that are understood
by both the sender and receiver of the message. If you are reading the transcript of this
lesson, you are engaged in written communication.
Body language is a form of nonverbal communication that can be used to send a message.
You can often tell if your boss is pleased or upset simply by looking at his facial
expressions, posture and gestures. For example, a flushed face may mean embarrassment;
a clinched fist may indicate anger; and the rolling of one's eyes may signal disbelief or
annoyance.
ANIMAL COMMUNICATION AND LANGUAGE

Robert Mannell (1999)
The aim of this lecture (1) is to examine the following questions:1. How do the forms of communication used by animals differ from human language?
2. Can animals be taught to use languages that are analogous to or the same as human
language?
Natural Animal Communication

Pearce (1987, p252) cites a definition of animal communication by Slater (1983, see Pearce for
reference), which we will also use as a working definition in this lecture:Animal communication is "the transmission of a signal from one animal to another such that the
sender benefits, on average, from the response of the recipient".
This loose definition permits the inclusion of many types of behaviour and allows
"communication" to be applied to a very large range of animals, including some very simple
animals.
Natural animal communication can include:
Chemical signals (used by some very simple creatures, including protozoa)
Smell (related to chemical signals, eg. pheromones attract, skunk secretions repel)
Touch
Movement

Posture (eg. dogs, geese)
Facial gestures (eg. dogs snarling)
Visual signals (eg. feathers)
Sound (eg. very many vertebrate and invertebrate calls)
Such signals have evolved to:
attract (especially mates)
repel (especially competitors or enemies)
signal aggression or submission
advertise species
warn of predators
communicate about the environment or the availability of food

Such signals may be:
instinctive, that is genetically programmed
learnt from others
Language
Some linguists (eg Chomsky, 1957, Macphail, 1982, both cited in Pearce, 1987) have argued that
language is a unique human behaviour and that animal communication falls short of human
language in a number of important ways.
Chomsky (1957) claims that humans possess an innate universal grammar that is not possessed
by other species. This can be readily demonstrated, he claims, by the universality of language in
human society and by the similarity of their grammars. No natural non-human system of
communication shares this common grammar.
Macphail (1982, cited by Pearce, 1987) made the claim that "humans acquire language (and nonhumans do not) not because humans are (quantitatively) more intelligent, but because humans
possess some species-specific mechanism (or mechanisms) which is a prerequisite of languageacquisition".
Some researchers have provided lists of what they consider to be the criteria that animal
communication must meet to be regarded as language.
For this lecture the list devised by Hockett (1960) is utilised, although this list is not the only
such list available. Such lists tend to be quite similar and certain elements of the Hockett list are
considered particularly important in evaluating the question "can animals be taught language?"
Hockett's thirteen "design-features" for language are as follows:1. Vocal-auditory channel: sounds emitted from the mouth and perceived by the auditory
system. This applies to many animal communication systems, but there are many
exceptions. Also, it does not apply to human sign language, which meets all the other 12
requirements. It also does not apply to written language.
2. Broadcast transmission and directional reception: this requires that the recipient can
tell the direction that the signal comes from and thus the originator of the signal.
3. Rapid fading (transitory nature): Signal lasts a short time. This is true of all systems
involving sound. It doesn't take into account audio recording technology and is also not
true for written language. It tends not to apply to animal signals involving chemicals and
smells which often fade slowly.
4. Interchangeability: All utterances that are understood can be produced. This is different
to some communication systems where, for example, males produce one set of
behaviours and females another and they are unable to interchange these messages so that
males use the female signal and vice versa.
5. Total feedback: The sender of a message also perceives the message. That is, you hear
what you say. This is not always true for some kinds of animal displays.
6. Specialisation: The signal produced is specialised for communication and is not the side
effect of some other behaviour (eg. the panting of a dog incidentally produces the panting
sound).
7. Semanticity: There is a fixed relationship between a signal and a meaning.
8. Arbitrariness: There is an arbitrary relationship between a signal and its meaning. That
is, the signal, is related to the meaning by convention or by instinct but has no inherent
relationship with the meaning. This can be seen in different words in different languages
referring to the same meaning, or to different calls of different sub-species of a single
bird species having the same meaning.
9. Discreteness: Language can be said to be built up from discrete units (eg. phonemes in
human language). Exchanging such discrete units causes a change in the meaning of a
signal. This is an abrupt change, rather than a continuous change of meaning (eg. "cat"
doesn't gradually change in meaning to "bat", but changes abruptly in meaning at some
point. Speech loudness and pitch can, on the other hand be changed continuously without
abrupt changes of meaning.
10. Displacement: Communicating about things or events that are distant in time or space.
Bee dancing is an example of this.
11. Productivity: Language is an open system. We can potentially produce an infinite (2)
number of different messages by combining the elements differently. This is not a feature
of, for example, the calls of gibbons who have a finite number of calls and thus a closed
system of communication.
12. Traditional transmission: Each generation needs to learn the system of communication
from the preceding generation. Many species produce the same uniform calls regardless
of where they live in the range (even a range spanning several continents). Such systems
can be assumed to be defined by instinct and thus by genetics. Some animals, on the other
hand fail to develop the calls of their species when raised in isolation.
13. Duality of patterning: Large numbers of meaningful signals (eg. morphemes or words)
produced from a small number of meaningless units (eg. phonemes). Human language is
very unusual in this respect. Apes, for example, do not share this feature in their natural
communication systems.
Communication Is Important
When you need to convey something to someone, you communicate with them. This is the
process of individuals sending, receiving, and responding to a signal. There's really no other way
to ask your friend for a ride home, tell your mother you love her, or ask your dog to get off the
couch. You have to send out a signal, the receiver has to get that signal, and then, hopefully, they
respond!
Communication is not a one-way street, nor is there just one way to communicate. Animals
communicate with each other using signals that are visual, auditory, chemical, and electrical. The
type of signal used depends on the message being conveyed, the environment, and the animal
sending the signal. Most animals do not rely solely on one type of signal. Instead, they utilize
different types of signals and often at the same time. Using multiple signals serves to enhance or
reinforce the message that the sender is trying to convey.
Visual Signals
There are an incredible number of different types of visual signals used in animal
communication. Just think of the many various ways you can make a face to express your
feelings, and you'll see what I mean.
Visual signals are most often used during the day because they simply can't be seen in the dark of
night. Animals, like birds and humans, use visual signals because they're active and awake
during the day and can easily see these types of signals being communicated. Visual signals
come in the form of bright colors (like bird feathers) and specific body movements (like
someone holding their hand up to say 'stop'). Some animals even send a signal by changing color
during courtship or aggression.
In aquatic environments, visual signals often serve as territorial displays. Some fish puff up like a
balloon to make themselves appear bigger (and therefore scarier), while others may 'charge' at an
intruder to show their willingness to defend their home.
Visual signals may be beneficial in situations where other types of signals would be dangerous. If
the sender of a signal can communicate that a predator is nearby without saying a word, this may
enable those individuals to avoid being eaten without the predator ever knowing it was spotted.
Auditory Signals
Sound is another good way to send a message, and this can be effective when individuals are too
far away to see visual signals. You hear a pack of wolves long before you see it, and this is for a
very good reason - they want you to stay far away!
Other times, auditory signals are used in courtship displays or to invite mates into a territory.
Auditory signals may be used to defend a territory if the owner feels threatened.
Auditory signals can be helpful if an individual becomes separated from the rest of the group.
You are more likely to yell for help if you are lost in the woods than to wave your arms around
hoping someone will see you. Your cry travels much farther than your visual arm waving, so the
chances of being found are much greater with an auditory signal in this situation.
Chemical and Electrical Signals
A chemical signal is an effective way of communicating if you need to send a signal but don't
plan on sticking around for the receiver's response. Many animals use chemical signals, such as
scents, to mark territories. This way, they can mark a large area without having to constantly
patrol the border to ward off intruders. The scent acts as a 'No Trespassing' sign, warning others
that the area already belongs to someone else.
Chemical signals may also be used to communicate beneficial information to other members of
the group. For example, when worker honeybees bring back pollen from a patch of flowers, they
regurgitate it to communicate to the other bees what it tastes and smells like. This will help the
other bees identify that same pollen when they're out foraging.
Forms of Animal Communication

Visual Communication
Visual communication for animals comes in two forms: badges and displays. Badges, the color
and shape of the animal, are structural adaptations, such as the bright yellow feathers of the male
American goldfinch. The bright colors tell a prospective mate that the male is a suitable choice.
Displays are the behaviors animals exhibit, such as the glow of a firefly to attract mates or when
a dog wags his tail to let you know he's happy.
Visual communication is the least effective since the animals must be close enough to see one
another.
Auditory Communication
Barking, growling, hissing and purring all are considered animal auditory communication.
Sounds can be used to attract mates, ward off threats and express happiness or pain.
For example, dogs bark when approached by a stranger. Red squirrels use a series of rattles,
screeches and yips to warn intruders to stay away. And dolphins use auditory communication to
set themselves apart from others -- a unique whistle that also helps them locate food.
Tactile Communication
Like humans, animals can rely on tactile communication -- touch -- to convey messages. Most
animals use this form of communication to show affection, comfort or fear, or even to establish
dominance. For instance, horses will kick each other to ward off threats or when competing for a
mate. As kittens, cats will nuzzle their mothers to show affection. Many species of primates will
clean each other to bond and show affection.
Chemical Communication
For some species of animals, communication is about pheromones or chemical markings. They
will leave their own scents to mark their territories, ward off predators or attract a mate. The
most well-known example is that of skunks "spraying" their signature scents when threatened.
Cats will rub against objects to make their territories, leaving scent markers from their mouths.
Human Language Vs. Animal Communication
If someone asked you what separates humans from other animals, one of the first things that
would probably come to mind is language. Language is so fundamental to human life that it's
hard to imagine what life would be like without it. In fact, the original term for language referred
to it as part of the bodylanguage is derived from the Latin word lingua, meaning tongue.
Barnett highlights the inseparability of language from man when he says, Verbal
communication is a condition of the existence of human society.
But at the same time, other animals also communicate: Your cat may let you know when its
hungry, ants use pheromones and sound to indicate social status and distress, bees dance to tell
one another where to find honey, and chimpanzees can learn sign language.
So when we think of language as a way of setting ourselves apart, what is it about our language
that is different than how other animals communicate?
In the video below, Professor Marc van Oostendorp of the Leiden University Centre for
Linguistics discusses three of the major differences between human and animal communication;
this article will examine these differences and more

Differences between human language and animal communication.

Human Language Vs. Animal Communication
If someone asked you what separates humans from other animals, one of the first things that
would probably come to mind is language. Language is so fundamental to human life that it's
hard to imagine what life would be like without it. In fact, the original term for language referred
to it as part of the bodylanguage is derived from the Latin word lingua, meaning tongue.
Barnett highlights the inseparability of language from man when he says, Verbal
communication is a condition of the existence of human society.
But at the same time, other animals also communicate: Your cat may let you know when its
hungry, ants use pheromones and sound to indicate social status and distress, bees dance to tell
one another where to find honey, and chimpanzees can learn sign language.
So when we think of language as a way of setting ourselves apart, what is it about our language
that is different than how other animals communicate?
In the video below, Professor Marc van Oostendorp of the Leiden University Centre for
Linguistics discusses three of the major differences between human and animal communication;
this article will examine these differences and more.

Differences at a Glance
Human
Duality of
Patterning
Creativity
Animal
Distinctive sounds, called phonemes, Other animals do not

are arbitrary and have no meaning.
communicate by arranging
But humans can string these sounds in arbitrary sounds, which limits
an infinite number of ways to create
the number of messages they
meaning via words and sentences.
can create.
New words can be invented easily.
Humans can talk about remote,

abstract, or imaginary things that
Displacement
aren't happening in their immediate
environments.
Interchangeabi Any gender of human can use the
lity
same languages.
Animals have to evolve in

order for their signs to
change.
Animal communication is
context driventhey react to
stimuli, or indexes.
Certain animal
communications in the animal
world can only be used by

Human
Animal
one gender of that animal.
Cultural
Transmission
The way that animals

Humans acquire language culturally
communicate are biological,
words must be learned.
or inborn.
Arbitrariness
Human language is symbolic, using a

Animal communication is not
set number of sounds (phonemes) and
symbolic, so it cannot
characters (alphabet), which allows
preserve ideas of the past.
ideas to be recorded and preserved.
Biology
On a purely biological level, the human Other animals have different

voice box and tongue are very unique, biological structures, which
and are required to make the sounds impact they way they make
we recognize as language.
sounds.
Ambiguity
A word, or sign, can have several

meanings.
Variety
Every sign has only one

meaning.
Human language can arrange words Animals only have a limited

into an infinite number of ideas,
number of combinations they
sometimes referred to as discrete
Human
infinity.
Animal
can use to communicate.


Definition Animal Communication

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Definition Animal Communication

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Animal communication is the transfer of information from one or a group of

animals (sender or senders) to one or more other animals (receiver or receivers)

Verbal communication is simply sending a message through a spoken language that is

Why do animals communicate? Parental care Recognition Begging Sexual

ANIMAL COMMUNICATION AND LANGUAGE

Natural Animal Communication

Chemical signals (used by some very simple creatures, including protozoa)

Why do animals communicate? Parental care Recognition Begging Sexual

Posture (eg. dogs, geese)

Facial gestures (eg. dogs snarling)

Visual signals (eg. feathers)

Sound (eg. very many vertebrate and invertebrate calls)

Such signals have evolved to:

attract (especially mates)

repel (especially competitors or enemies)

signal aggression or submission

communicate about the environment or the availability of food

Why do animals communicate? Parental care Recognition Begging Sexual

Such signals may be:

instinctive, that is genetically programmed

learnt from others

Forms of Animal Communication

Why do animals communicate? Parental care Recognition Begging Sexual

Differences between human language and animal communication.

Why do animals communicate? Parental care Recognition Begging Sexual

Distinctive sounds, called phonemes, Other animals do not

Humans can talk about remote,

Animals have to evolve in

Why do animals communicate? Parental care Recognition Begging Sexual

The way that animals

Human language is symbolic, using a

On a purely biological level, the human Other animals have different

A word, or sign, can have several

Every sign has only one

Human language can arrange words Animals only have a limited

Why do animals communicate? Parental care Recognition Begging Sexual

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