“Do animals use language for communication?”
Animals do communicate. The very fact that they travel in herds, prides, flocks and packs is a proof that
animals are able to connect to one another. But having the ability to communicate does not mean there is a use
of language taking place. This is true at least for animals.
It is said that the primary medium of language is sound. Although animals are able to create them, it
does not necessarily mean the sound they make is a part of any particular form of language. Since birth, their
ability of making a certain sound is already intact with them. It is in-born. It is in their nature to create the
sounds they are supposed to make, like the moos for the cows and meows for the cats. Animal instinct is also a
factor to animal communication. When a dog is being yelled at, even if its owner is saying nice words, it is
expected to feel terrified as it is marked on its instinct that a loud voice means bad or that they are being
reprimanded. They also use gestures, the wagging of a dog’s tail for example, as a way to communicate and
show a certain emotion. In the case where a dog is so obedient that its owner can train it, what makes it possible
is the fact that dogs tend to rely on the sounds they hear from their owners, but do not fully understand it. They
process and associate certain loudness or softness of voices into what they call dog tricks. Another is the
imitation that happens with parrots. They imitate the sound that humans create but there is no understanding on
their side. With this, we can say that most animals depend on the quality of the sound they hear and react in
accordance to a certain sound quality.
Animals connect with the same species and even with different ones with the use of gestures, instincts
and sounds, but it is not a language. We can say this because the sounds and gestures they make and use are not
governed by any system of rules, which is essential for us to call something a “language.” Also, they only
make these sounds and gestures to express emotions, but with no intention of exchanging ideas or information.
Another reason is because all the things they do are innate and involuntary, not arbitrary. The sounds they make
do not vary and change but instead, it is fixed right from the very first day an animal is born. Hence, there is no
Animals do communicate. The very fact that they travel in herds, prides, flocks and packs is a proof that
animals are able to connect to one another. But having the ability to communicate does not mean there is a use
of language taking place. This is true at least for animals.
It is said that the primary medium of language is sound. Although animals are able to create them, it
does not necessarily mean the sound they make is a part of any particular form of language. Since birth, their
ability of making a certain sound is already intact with them. It is in-born. It is in their nature to create the
sounds they are supposed to make, like the moos for the cows and meows for the cats. Animal instinct is also a
factor to animal communication. When a dog is being yelled at, even if its owner is saying nice words, it is
expected to feel terrified as it is marked on its instinct that a loud voice means bad or that they are being
reprimanded. They also use gestures, the wagging of a dog’s tail for example, as a way to communicate and
show a certain emotion. In the case where a dog is so obedient that its owner can train it, what makes it possible
is the fact that dogs tend to rely on the sounds they hear from their owners, but do not fully understand it. They
process and associate certain loudness or softness of voices into what they call dog tricks. Another is the
imitation that happens with parrots. They imitate the sound that humans create but there is no understanding on
their side. With this, we can say that most animals depend on the quality of the sound they hear and react in
accordance to a certain sound quality.
Animals connect with the same species and even with different ones with the use of gestures, instincts
and sounds, but it is not a language. We can say this because the sounds and gestures they make and use are not
governed by any system of rules, which is essential for us to call something a “language.” Also, they only
make these sounds and gestures to express emotions, but with no intention of exchanging ideas or information.
Another reason is because all the things they do are innate and involuntary, not arbitrary. The sounds they make
do not vary and change but instead, it is fixed right from the very first day an animal is born. Hence, there is no
