Washoe, a female chimpanzee (黑猩猩) believed to be the first non-human to acquire human language, has died of natural causes at the research institute where she was kept.
The chimp died on Tuesday night, according to Roger and Deborah Fouts, co-founders of The Chimpanzee and Human Communications Institute in Washington, where she lived.
Washoe was born in 1965 in Africa, where she was captured by the Air Force and taken to the US for research use in the space program. In 1966, she left the program and began living with two scientists, Allen and Beatrix Gardner, who led a project to teach the chimp American Sign Language (ASL) in Washoe, Nevada, for which it was named. Washoe had been living on Central Washington University’s Ellensburg Campus since 1980. She had a vocabulary of about 250 words. Also, Washoe taught sign language to three younger chimps: Tatu, 31, Loulis, 29, and Dar, 31.
Primate (灵长类) researcher Jane Goodall, in Fouts’ book Next of Kin, noted the importance of the work with Washoe. “Roger, through his ongoing conversations with Washoe and her extended family, has opened a window into a chimpanzee’s mind,” Goodall said.
Though previous efforts to teach chimps spoken languages had failed, the researchers believed there was a better chance using signs. But Washoe’s language skills were disputed by scientists who believed that language is unique to humans. Among those who doubted that chimps could use language were linguist (语言学家) Noam Chomsky and Harvard scientist Steven Pinker. They believed primates simply learn to perform certain acts in order to receive rewards, and do not acquire true language.
1. As for its first task, Washoe was involved with _______.
A. some space research               B. a study on African animals
C. an ASL project                    D. the program of training the Air Force
2. In Goodall’s opinion, teaching Washoe ASL ______.
A. was not successful               B. led to the book Next of Kin
C. won honor for Fouts              D. made a difference
3. In the last paragraph, the underlined word “disputed” probably means “______”.
A. supported       B. studied       C. questioned        D. discussed
4. What can be inferred from the passage?
A. The ASL project was first set up in Africa for the study on Washoe.
B. Washoe may communicate with other chimps by signing.
C. Washoe must have been able to speak 250 words or so.
D. The researchers will prove that most chimps could use language.
5. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A. Washoe was the first animal to be taught human language.
B. Washoe, the chimp, was named in honor of a place.
C. There were four chimps in total at Ellensburg Campus.
D. Chomsky believed primates only perform silent signs.