Great Apes!

Washoe the Talking Chimp

WASHOE the chimp may be the most famous of the "talking" apes, those used in experiments to see if apes could be taught human sign language. Washoe's training began in Nevada in the 1960s under University of Reno scientists Allen and Beatrix Gardner; it was continued by Roger Fouts, who began as a graduate student working with the Gardners. Washoe developed a vocabulary of over 200 signs, though the precise nature of her knowledge and understanding remains the topic of lively debate. She also taught signs to another chimp, her "adopted son" Loulis. In 1980 Washoe moved to Central Washington University, where she lives with other chimps in a special institute set up by Fouts.