Me breaking the ice on Ape sign language- A personal perspective

I would have said this: "After years of studying the secrets of ape sign language, I am now an expert in this unique form of communication" But unfortunately the reality is, I just started studying this so-called secret of ape sign language in the last 5-6 hours probably 7.

You see, In all seriousness, my 5-6 hours of experience with ape sign language (I admit this is not much) mostly through Youtube, documentaries, research, and blogs have been incredibly fascinating, but also kind of a bit baffling. As a curious learner starting at ground 0, it can be difficult to decipher the whole communication, especially via Youtube and some documentaries.

But you see I’ve come to realize that it’s not so much about understanding their literal meaning as it is about picking up on their various basic way of doing things. There are a lot of subtleties in ape sign language that you can learn if you pay attention, will I learn more over time? I doubt that as this is something that just fascinates me at the moment and I am willing to know more. I might wake up tomorrow and completely be over it

In case you are actually wondering what ignited my curiosity Here
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screenshot taken from Here

I’ve actually learned a few lessons along the way, and today I want to share them with you.

So let's dive in👇👇👇

Ape Sign Language

Alright!!! , it's been quite an experience! In just 5-6 hours or so of trying to know so much, I've learned quite some things to also ignite some curiosity in you, not the best strategy, that I know and I am definitely not close to knowing much, but at least I am not clueless.

You see, from observing chimpanzees to bonobos, I have noticed that primates have a variety of ways to communicate with one another. Whether through vocalizations, physical gestures, or facial expressions – primates are definitely skilled communicators! almost too skilled if you ask me

But you see, actually one of the most fascinating aspects of apes' communication is their use of manual gestures for communication (Yes!! those limb and body movements), also known as "ape sign language". This form of non-verbal communication involves a variety of hand signals and movements used by various species of primates to express themselves and interact with their peers.

Let me lecture you more 😃,

Yeah, Apes are capable of using their hands to communicate various concepts such as food, danger, and aggression, fascinating right? of course it is. Though the exact meaning behind each gesture may be mysterious at first, it seems apparent that these animals possess a complex form of communication that goes beyond simple grunts and squeals! I got your attention right? I know I definitely did.

So Read on

What are actual Studies and Discoveries saying?

screenshot taken from here

The bonobo and chimpanzees use manual gestures and sign language to communicate with each other, but their “vocabulary” is quite limited when compared to human sign users. Now that being said, researchers have noticed that the apes do display some level of syntax (Syntax is basically how words or phrases are put together ) in their communication— comprising various body postures, facial expressions, and even vocal calls.

Then there is one called the iconic gestures—like peering into palms or touching other’s faces—that scientists believe could constitute basic acts of social bonding behavior.
Overall, while they aren't exactly flinging around Shakespearean prose (yet), these primates are capable of some amazing forms of nonverbal communication.

Let's take a closer look

Without a doubt, this has been eye-opening. After hours of observation and research, I’ve uncovered some fascinating insights into these tiny communicators. As I slowly uncover some of their secrets which I definitely know is nothing compared to what is in store, I can’t help but feel like I’m the one being taught a lesson!

For starters, I’ve noticed that apes communicate using two main forms: vocalizations and gestures. The vocalizations are a combination of grunts and hoots, while the gestures are mostly done with their hands and fingers. That's where things start to get really interesting. It appears that apes have a rudimentary and basic understanding of signs, which can be used to convey simple messages or requests—“Give me food!” or “Follow me!”

One unique aspect of ape sign language is the way they use their facial expressions and body language in conjunction with their gestures.

Now let's look at an example:when a chimpanzee is trying to communicate something important, they'll often look directly at the object of their communication with widened eyes and an open mouth. It's almost as if they're telling you or actually saying "Pay attention! This is important!"

screenshot image was taken from here

So, In addition to facial expressions, apes will also use other forms of body language such as arm waving, head nodding or even stomping around in circles. As the observer, it's mostly easy to pick up on these cues and interpret what they're trying to say—at least on some basic level.

Of course, it may take some time for us humans to fully understand the gestures and vocalization, but that hasn't stopped me from learning as much as I can!

What I think are the possible challenges to ape sign language?

Quite frankly you see, measuring ape sign language can be a daunting task. Not only are there a lot of potential behaviors to measure, but then you have to be able to distinguish what is intentional from what is accidental, pretty tough right? It's like having to differentiate between a simple wave and an elaborate dance—if you're not looking closely, you can miss the meaning entirely.

But the real challenge lies in the fact that ape sign language is different from human sign language. Whereas humans use their hands for signs, apes use facial expressions and body postures to communicate more. This means that extra care needs to be taken when interpreting their behavior to avoid reaching a wrong conclusion.

I actually know that there are some proven methods and research that can help me get around this but let's leave that for another day

Some Fun Facts

Don't mess with the alpha female Apes
Ape smiles are contagious,
When an ape tucks their arms in tight it usually indicates they feel threatened or defensive.

Overall, It Fascinating

I realized that there's more to communication than meets the eye. Sure, words have their place. But sometimes, when words fail, a few hand signs and mental telepathy can also work wonders and maybe even safe your life, we cannot tell.