Your next conversation in sign language may be with someone not quite human.
Since the late 60s, chimpanzees and gorillas have been learning a modified form of sign language, taught by patient humans. It all began with Washoe the chimpanzee in the 60s, followed by the gorillas Koko, and Michael (now deceased). Washoe had learned a little over a hundred signs, but Koko learned over 1,000 signs. Not bad for a non-human.
Washoe
Washoe's long sign language-using career was chronicled by Roger Fouts in his book,"Next of Kin." Washoe passed away on October 30, 2007.
Koko
Koko, born in 1971, was introduced to sign language that same year by Dr. Francine "Penny" Patterson, a graduate student who was curious to see if a gorilla could learn sign language. Patterson began teaching her "pupil" a few basic signs, and Koko took off in her language development. She learned dozens of signs in weeks.
Today Koko is part of the ongoing Gorilla Language Project and has her own web site, Koko.org. The site has video clips, a "Learn to Sign" section, and a kids' club with a baby picture of Koko, and much more.
Koko has been in the public eye for years, helping to increase awareness of both sign language and the use of sign language by humans. Sign language use by chimpanzees and gorillas was featured in the 1984 movie "A Summer to Remember," a film about a deaf boy who befriends a sign language-using Orangutan. Among her public appearances:
- Cover story in National Geographic, October 1978
- A special on PBS' nature program. The program's web site includes information on Gorilla Sign Language and a sign language game featuring Koko.
In 2004, Koko made the news again briefly when she had tooth pain and signed to her caretakers that she needed a dentist.
