Washoe LearnedAmerican Sign Language

An animal thatinfluenced scientific thought has died.A chimpanzee named Washoe and born in Africa died of natural causes late last month at the ageof 42 at a research

center in theAmerican state of Washington.Washoe had become known in the scientificcommunity arid around the world for her ability to use American signlanguage.She

was said to be thefirst non-human to learn a human language.Her skills also led to debate aboutprimates and their ability to understand language.

2.Researchscientists Allen and Beatrix Gardner began teaching Washoe sign language in1966.In 1969,the Gardnersdescribed Washoe's progress in a scientific report.The

people whoexperimented with Washoe said she grew to understand about 250 words.Forexample,Washoe made signs to communicate when it was time to eat. She could

request foods likeapples and bananas.She also asked questions like,"Who is coming toplay?"Once the news about Washoe spread,many language scientists beganstudies of

their own into thisnew and exciting area of research.The whole direction of primate researchchanged.

3. However,criticsargued Washoe only learned to repeat sign language movements from watching herteachers.They said she had never developed true language skills.Even

now there are someresearchers who suggest that primates learn sign language only by memory,andperform the signs only for prizes.Yet Washoe's keepers disagree.Roger

Fouts is a formerstudent of the Gardners.He took Washoe to a research center inEllensburg,Washington.There,Washoe taught sign language to three younger

chimpanzees,whichare still alive.

4.Scientists likeprivate researcher Jane Goodall believe Washoe provided new information aboutthe mental workings of chimpanzees.Today,there are not as many scientists

studying languageskills with chimps.Part of the reason is that this kind of research takes avery long time.

5.Debate continuesabout chimps' understanding of human communication.Yet,one thing is sure一Washoe changed popular ideas about thepossibilities of animal

intelligence.Washoe taughtthree younger chimps sign language_______.

A.if the Gardeners'argument was sound

B.because she wascleverer than other chimps

C.when she wanted toeat

D.while she was at aresearch center in Ellensburg

E.because she coulduse sign language to ask for fruits