... are our system of making one thing stand for another. The twenty six letters of the alphabet are symbols that we can put together to form words that again have another symbolic meaning to them. For example 'MUM' is the combination of three symbols that, when together symbolise images of our mothers even when she is not pictured with this word. It is debatable whether or not humans are the only animals who have the ability to use true 'language' and symbolism. In language lies what many believe to be the most significant deviation between humans and the rest of the animal kingdom; the ability to be truly conscious and aware of one self, to experience complex emotions and to be able to think and reason. Sue Savage-Rumbaugh carried out tests with Yerkes' chimpanzees. They appeared capable of successfully communicating with humans. It is powerful evidence suggesting that non-human primates ...

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