NOVA Season 1 Episode 10 First Signs of Washoe (The)

The NOVA season 1 episode 10 titled "First Signs of Washoe" highlights the incredible bond between humans and animals, and their ability to communicate with each other. The episode captures the remarkable story of a chimpanzee named Washoe, who was taught sign language and learned to communicate with her trainers in ways humans never imagined were possible.

The episode traces Washoe's story from her early days, when she was captured from the wild and taken to a research facility in Oklahoma. There, she was subjected to a series of experiments that examined the cognitive abilities of chimpanzees. Her life changed forever when she was taken in by a group of researchers who were interested in studying her ability to communicate.

The team of researchers led by Allen and Beatrix Gardner, began to teach Washoe basic sign language in the early 1960s. In no time, Washoe was able to learn and replicate the sign language gestures taught to her. As time passed, she became increasingly proficient, demonstrating an incredible ability to understand language and communicate with her trainers.

The documentary explores the challenges faced by the researchers as they try to teach a non-human species the complexities of language and communication. They had to work tirelessly to identify the ways in which Washoe could be taught and learn new concepts. The episode offers insights into the various methods they used, including repetitive drilling and associative learning.

The efforts of the researchers paid off when Washoe began to use the signs in ways that suggest an understanding of their meaning. She used different signs for different objects, combined signs to form more complex ideas and even invented her own sign for "water bird" when she saw a pelican on a lake. Her ability to demonstrate creativity and problem-solving was a revelation to the researchers.

The episode dives deeper into the emotional connection between Washoe and her trainers. It showcases how sign language helped bridge the communication gap between humans and animals and demonstrated the remarkable empathy and intelligence of chimpanzees. When Washoe was informed of the death of another chimp in her family, she signed the word "cry," effectively communicating her sadness and grief.

Throughout the episode, archival footage of Washoe learning sign language is interspersed with interviews from researchers who witnessed her learning process firsthand. Her ability to learn language challenged the long-standing belief that the ability to learn language was uniquely human. The episode showcases how her skills in sign language continued to evolve and open up new avenues of research in the field of animal communication.

Overall, NOVA season 1 episode 10 "First Signs of Washoe" is a profound exploration of the remarkable bond between humans and non-human creatures. The episode beautifully articulates how a bond can transcend language barriers and open new avenues for understanding the intelligence and emotional world of animals. Anyone who is curious about the relationship between humans and the animal world will find this episode to be insightful and compelling. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in animal intelligence and communication.