Koko The Gorilla

07/06/20 • 80 min

“It’s interesting that we became enthusiastic about ASL in the process of teaching it to a population that couldn’t benefit from it.”
Mike tells Sarah about a very special ape and the very problematic humans around her. Digressions include video dating, "Biography" and the terrible terrible inventor of the telephone. We start with a SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT about the future of the show. Both co-hosts understand the difference between chimps, monkeys and apes but occasionally misspeak.
For a transcript of this episode (Thanks Andrea!), click here or copy-paste:
https://rottenindenmark.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/YWA-Koko-the-Gorilla-Transcript.pdf
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07/06/20 • 80 min

11 Listeners

You're Wrong About - Koko The Gorilla

Transcript Summary

In this intriguing episode titled "Koko The Gorilla," the podcast delves into the fascinating story of Koko, a gorilla taught sign language by Penny Patterson. Koko showcases remarkable communication skills, creating new signs for various concepts and even demonstrating a sense of humor. The episode explores the debate surrounding the behaviorist and biological theories of language acquisition. It sheds light on the history of ape language research, including setbacks and controversies. The hosts touch on topics such as the stigmatization of sign language, the complex emotions of animals, and the evolving understanding of humanity's relationship with animals. The episode also delves into Koko's life, including her fame through media appearances and the controversy surrounding her captivity and interactions with other gorillas. The podcast raises thought-provoking questions about education, communication methods, and the value placed on different forms of language. Overall, this episode presents a captivating exploration of Koko's unique abilities and invites listeners to reconsider their perspectives on animal communication and cognition.

Transcript

Koko the Gorilla

Sarah: Isn't it terrible that the name Donald is like Adolph now, like you hear it and you're just like, Ugh.

Mike: Are you ready? Do you want to get going?

Sarah: Yeah. Welcome to You’re Wrong About, the show where, ooh, no.

Mike: Although, ooh, no, is actually a pretty good tagline. That's actually pretty apt for a lot of our episodes.

Sarah: Let's just go with that.

Koko The Gorilla Top Questions Answered

Can animals communicate like humans?

Early studies in the 1930s and 1940s attempted to teach chimps to speak like humans but failed due to physical differences in vocal cords and breath control.

What is American Sign Language (ASL)?

ASL is a distinct language with its own features and structure, including differences in word order and plurals.

Who stigmatized American Sign Language?

Alexander Graham Bell stigmatized ASL and made efforts to eradicate it, believing deafness should be bred out.

How did denying deaf children a language affect their development?

Denying deaf children a language early on had detrimental effects on their cognitive development and ability to communicate.

When did the field of ape language research decline?

The field of ape language research declined after Herbert Terrace's book, which led to a lack of funding for further research.

Who cared for Koko the gorilla and taught her sign language?

Koko the gorilla was cared for by a grad student named Penny Patterson, who aimed to teach her sign language.

What were some of Koko's communication abilities?

Koko developed a large vocabulary, demonstrated her ability to communicate through signs, and displayed a humorous and sardonic personality.

Why did Koko gain widespread fame?

Koko gained widespread fame for her ability to communicate through sign language, appearing on the cover of National Geographic and being featured in movies and TV shows.

Was Koko's ability to communicate overestimated?

There are discussions and debates about the extent and significance of Koko's communication abilities, with claims such as rhyming potentially being less significant than believed.

What were some of the controversies surrounding Koko's treatment and captivity?

The treatment and captivity of Koko raised questions and debates about ethics, treatment of gorillas, and the value of forcing communication upon others.

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