Chimps can be multilingual

Chimps can learn other chimp languages

Can monkeys learn language? Chimpanzees use vocalizations to describe a variety of things in their environment. Two groups of chimps in different zoos used unique vocalizations to describe apples, a particularly delectable treat for both groups.  Researchers investigated how the vocalization for this word changed once these two groups of chimps were integrated together at the Edinburgh Zoo in the UK. Only after social integration was complete, three years later, were the chimps all using the same grunt for apple. The immigrated group of chimps took on the local vocalization for apple; loud, high-pitched grunts became softer and lower.  You can hear newcomer Frek's apple grunt in 2010, and how it changed in 2013, to sound much more like Lucy, a local chimp. So chimps are not just grunting in excitement when an apple comes their way, but using a distinct socially-learned vocalization to describe this fruit. These findings have implications for the evolution of language in humans, and have scientists grunting with excitement.