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Computing Science

C/LI/51. Is the comprehensive use of language restricted to humans?

WORDS:

2200

DATE:

2010

PRICE:

29.99 GBP

The paper looks at the academic and scientific debate about whether language is a characteristic unique to humans, or whether certain animals or even artificial intelligence can meaningfully communicate. The paper attempts to define language, using the terms applied by researchers, Hockett and Parisi, who saw language as an innate and learned expression, vocally or through gesture, producing the reciprocation and understanding of specialised, meaningful and arbitrary information. The research addresses the possibility that other species are able to use language – with examples from the studies of monkey and ape communication by Arbib, Liebal and Pika (2008). Other research has examined whether artificial intelligence could comprehensively use language. Studies by Lin and Kraus (2010) argue that, to some extent, a type of computer programme used as a training tool for real-life negotiators, can proficiently “talk” to humans.

KEYWORDS: Language, communication, animal communication, artificial intelligence,