Why can't dogs and other animals talk in human words?

Question

I know it sounds ridiculous on the surface, but think about it. They have vocal cords. They're intelligent. Many of them spend their formative* years around humans when "speech" is being developed.

I've also heard stories of feral children (kids raised by animals) being able to communicate like the wolves or whatever animal they were raised by.

So why isn't it like that with dogs, cat and other animals? If a gorilla (remember Koko?) can learn basic sign language why can't it form words too?

Answer 1

Even though animals do not have the same speaking capabilities that humans do, our animal brothers and sisters may have far more complex and developed communication abilities than we have ever thought. Just because your beloved dog can't "speak" in a non-barking manner, doesn't mean he doesn't know what you are saying to him. How long did it take him to learn what "go for a walk?", or even "go...meant..lol ?!

      Animals, especially canines, have the ability to "tune -in" to sound that travels on a much higher frequency soundwave level that we are not able to hear. A dog whistle is a good example; dogs hear this sound very clearly, but it's totally silent to us. The fact is, there is a lot going on on this higher frequency soundlevel, that can even be considered a sixth-sense. Why do dogs and other animalsknow when natural disasters are emminent such as tornados, storms, floods, and earthquakes? How do dogs sense when their owner is about to go into an epileptic seizure? I am the fortunate owner of a Toy Fox Terrier who has that natural ability, and I know has saved my life. Some people believe that animals can see 'spirits' which travel on the waves of  this higher frequency sound level, but that's a whole other story.

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     I've always adored dolphins, and they are learning more all the time about their highly complex system of sonar communication that may be even more superior than any human language.

I think what they call an animals 'instinct' has a lot to do with this sixth sense and ability to perceive this higher soundwave frequency also.

Answer 2

it's a matter of how their vocal chords evolved. think about it, it's the same reason why humans can't communicate to animals like bats[given that they would undedrstand]. Bats communicate in an entirely different range of frequencies that sometimes humans cannot even detect with their ears.

sure, gorillas can make humanlike sounds but they just are not evolved to "speak"  like humans

oh and there are exceptions. for example, one african grey parrot knows over250+ words and actually uses them in context!

:)

Answer 3

because the muscles of the cheeks throat and tounge aren not made the same way as us.  imagine your dog trying to make the B sound. they really cant because the muscles there cant press like they need to.  or imagine him singing LA LA LA lol. they cant really press the tounge to the roof of the mouth.  but your dog (or any other one) can communicate. you simply have to learn his or her language.  once you sit still and learn to hear them its amazing.

Answer 4

#1 no offence to our wonderfully smart canine friends but we as humans are definately higher up in the intelligence spectrum, we have more memory, social skills, more complex ideas that dogs simply don't match

#2 yes they have vocal cords but its not the same, it develops differently.  even tho feral children may be able to communicate with their animal caregivers does not mean they can make even half  the noises that dogs make, we can't even hear some of the sounds that a dog makes

Answer 5

Dogs have adapted their language to speak to other canines - they have a very rich and subtle body language which suits them much better than saying "Hey Fred, circle around that gazelle to the left."  We are only beginning to understand their language to the fullest.

Also the shape of their mouth and jaws doesn't lend them to making human speech sounds.  However it is believed that the average dog can understand more than 50 human words.

Answer 6

Good question, most birds can and do talk.  

My goose, barks!!!  She was raised with my dogs, and when they bark she does!  

And your questions isn't ridiculous, it's true and I often wonder that myself:)

Answer 7

Because that's how God made them!

Answer 8

That is very very true.

Parrot's imitate humans.

I love every animal and I wish that they can talk.

But a load of animals can understand our language.

The world would be TOO different if they could talk.

Plus there's the fact that animals have different languages because they speak to the same animal  by howling or something - it's like their own little private and secret language that humans can't discover. Also the muscles in their tongue are different so they can't talk.

Those stories are cool.

But you just made a very good point.

Answer 9

Dogs are intelligent however they do not have sufficient muscles on their tongue to pronounce the words that we do on a daily basis..

Dogs intelligence is primarily instinctual i.e just to survive.. they dont have the social skills that humans do..