{"product_id":"animal-languages-9780262044035","title":"Animal Languages","description":"\u003cb\u003eHow animals speak to each other and to humans, from chimpanzees who learn sign language to dogs who parse the meaning of other dogs' growls.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003eIs language what sets humans apart from other animals, as many have argued? Or do animals speak in their own languages, to each other and to us? In \u003ci\u003eAnimal Languages\u003c\/i\u003e, Eva Meijer explores the latter possibility. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMeijer tells us about Alex, the gray parrot who knew more than one hundred words, and Chaser, the border collie who had a talent for grammar. She introduces us to Washoe, the chimpanzee who grew up with humans and learned sign language; Kosik, the elephant who spoke to humans in human language and to his female elephant companion in elephant language; and Noc, the beluga whale who mimicked human speech. She tells us that dogs are able to interpret the meaning of other dogs' growls; that prairie dogs have alarm calls that offer informative details about intruders (specifying, among other things, size, color, and speed of approach); and that marmosets take turns in conversations and teach this skill to their offspring.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBut beyond all these interesting details, Meijer makes a more profound observation. Talking with animals forces us to challenge the hierarchy of humans and other animals, and suggests a new way of thinking about language. \u003ci\u003eAnimal Languages\u003c\/i\u003e shows us that language is broader and richer than we imagined, and that meaningful expression does not require human words. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEva Meijer is an author, artist, singer, songwriter, and philosopher. She is author of \u003ci\u003eBird Cottage\u003c\/i\u003e, a novel.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"MIT Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50368437125394,"sku":"9780262044035","price":20.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_e379fe3e-5b15-4acf-b768-cf6e6300a73b.jpg?v=1728508578","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/animal-languages-9780262044035","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}