The University of Cambodia

SUBJECT:
INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY (PSY101) Topic:
Why animals cannot talk like human

Lecturer
PRESENTER:

Kep Bunly Mr. Sun Sima

 Content
 Discussion on topic
Why animals cannot talk like human?
 Introduction

 Conclusion
 Introduction

Human language differs from animal communication in many

ways.
- humans use language to produce an infinite number of unique
sentences as a form of communication, but animals lack
testability.
- Animals communicate by signal codes which mean they have
a limited number of statements, generally as simple responses
to certain situations.
  Discussion on topic Why animals cannot talk like human?

Why animals cannot perform

the two comprising actions
simultaneously?
The word “simultaneously” is essential.

For instance
Parrots can mimic the sounds made by humans.
However, these have no specific meaning behind them.

In humans, there are a number of reasons that can be

attributed to our ability to speak.
 Discussion on topic Why animals cannot talk like human?

Reason 1

Human body possesses a jaw,

tongue, larynx or voice box etc.

Many animals don’t these

things in their body.
 Discussion on topic Why animals cannot talk like human?

Reason 2

Human body possesses the

Broca’s area in their brain
which is closely associated
with speech comprehension

This part of the brain is less

developed, or absent, in
other animals.
 Discussion on topic Why animals cannot talk like human?

Reason 3

The presence of certain pathways that

are found only in some animals and
human. These pathways are supposed
to be instrumental in our vocal abilities.

The other groups of animals who are said to possess

these pathways are birds, like hummingbirds, songbirds
and parrots, as well as mammals like bats and cetaceans.
 Discussion on topic Why animals cannot talk like human?

Reason 4

Another factor that allows human be able to

speak is the gene FOXP2.
Forkhead box protein P2 is a protein in
humans and it is encoded by the FOXP2
gene. This protein is a transcription factor,
which means that it controls the activity of
other genes.
 Conclusion
The reasons why animals cannot talk like human are:

1. Animals don’t possess a jaw, tongue, larynx or

voice box like human.
2. Animals don’t possesses the Broca’s area in their
brain like human.
3. Some animals don’t have pathways that they are
supposed to be instrumental in their vocal abilities.
4. Animals don’t get the gene FOXP2 like human.
THANK YOU!