The use of gestures in primate communication could lend clues to the development of spoken language in humans. Scientists have found that primates use gestures in a flexible way, with gestures being modified and passed on among groups of individuals. Similar flexibility is present in human spoken language and a better understanding of the use of gestures in primates could lead to discoveries about the development of spoken language.

Emory University researchers Frans de Waal and Amy Pollick videotaped the behavior of a group of chimps and bonobos over the course of hundreds of hours. The recorded behavior revealed that the primates used more than 30 distinct gestures to communicate with each other. Waving a hand, raising an arm, dabbing with a finger, reaching out an open hand—these were all among the gestures the primates used.

Find out more:

• Pollick AS and FBM de Waal. 2007. Ape Gestures and Primate Evolution. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 104 (19:8184-8189).
• Primate Gestures May Be Clue to Human Language (NPR)

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